The time to make choices and to take actions is coming ... will Yuu succeed ?
Enjoy ^^
The battle of Nagoya was drawing near. Yuu was for the occasion with his father. Of course, he had to negotiate with Krul, who was not really happy that her baby was going to war. However, not only was it his turn to go there, but in addition he wanted to be with Crowley in order to be able to approach Ferid. Akane had communicated her findings to his friend, and also of an interesting thing : the affection that Ferid had for the prince. He succumbed like the others to the charm of the little one. That was his chance, according to the brunette. Yuu hardly believed it, but what other choice did he have. He had to try. For his part, Crowley was always determined to protect his son, and therefore to attack Ferid if necessary. In the meantime, he recommended the child to remain with him.
« I thought I could sneak on the contrary. I am small too, it is also an advantage. » objected Yuu.
« Too dangerous little scamp. »
« Here we go again. I'll be very careful, I promise. » assured the brown one.
« … »
Eusford sighed. Yuu came to perch on the desk, sitting on it cross-legged. He thought of Mika, whom he would certainly see again. This time the soldiers were there to kill the nobles. Certainly his father. Yuu already knew who he would choose. But he could act in finesse. He relied on his appearance to destabilize his opponent. The young vampire was at this point of his reflections, when suddenly he felt himself carried away. An explosion sounds. Crowley held a green bird in his hand.
« Now that's something else ! » said the squirt.
Crowley released him, to approach the gaping hole. When he saw Guren leap, Yuu went away. He remembered this guy, and especially the reaction of Mika. No doubt he would come. Because Crowley would have no trouble wearing out the soldiers. Besides ... BOOM ! He had just sent two soldiers right next to the door, when Yuu closed it.
« And they say I'm the troublemaker. » he commented.
Meanwhile, he quietly walked away with his hands in his pockets. The Prince went downstairs when he heard Mika's voice calling to his teammate.
« Hi Mika. » he said, approaching.
The others showed their weapons.
« Yuuichiro. » said the blonde.
Yuu stopped in the middle of the stairs.
« Yuu, I came to rescue somebody from my family. He's up there. Let us pass. » asked Mika.
« My father is too strong for you, you'll only met your demise. » responded Yuu.
« Then ask him to release him. » tried Mika.
He didn't believe it. Yuu had never refused anything to him until now, but he had grown up.
« I sure hope you're kidding. » said the young, raising an eyebrow.
« I would have tried. Sorry Yuu, but I have to pass. » resumed Mika, rising his sabre.
« Mika ! Over here quickly ! » called Shinoa.
Mika hesitated for a moment, then decided to obey his leader. Yuu did not move, letting them go away. Then he went up very quickly, to find his father in a corridor. Crowley watched him rush over him and exceeding him. Just when the ground cracked under the feet of the noble. Mika gushed out. Yuu held out his hand, grabbed him in the back and pulled him back. The blond's back struck the ground. He then discovered the young vampire standing in front of him.
« Yuu. »
« Yes it's me. » smiled the dark-haired one.
Mika swallowed, then jumped up. He raised his saber ready to strike. Crowley thought of intervening, when he saw his son tackling the legs of the young soldier, resting on his two hands. Crowley, for his part, had to deal with the rest of the squad that was coming. Chess Belle and Horn intervened to help him, leaving him time to protect Yuu. The latter avoided another blow of saber. He leaped into the air and landed briefly on a wall. Pushing forward, he flapped a knee to the blonde who crashed in the face. After which, Yuu seized him by one arm and made him pass over him.
« Will you calm down already ? You can't do anything. » he said calmly.
« And you ? What would you do in my place ? » retorted Mika.
Yuu smiled. He grabbed the blonde that he lifted, and threw him away in the direction of his squad. Mika rolled like a dice, to the feet of Mitsuba. Shinoa launched the retreat.
« Guren ! » called Mika.
« Hey ! I recognize you, you were in Shinjuku. » said Crowley.
Obviously, he was interested. And Yuichiro knew what it meant : a new confrontation. Now he was trying to spare everyone.
« It'll be alright daddy. We got what we wanted, no need to clutter with the frying. » he intervened.
« Hmmm, yes you're right. Go on, shoo you squirts ! »
Mika gritted his teeth. He saw Yuu waving to him. But to abandon Guren, as he had to abandon Akane and the others ... the blond's teammates dragged him along. Yuu turned his head towards the windows.
« Well then. Let's greet the next guests. » he said.
Just when adult soldiers crossed the openings. One of them suddenly made appear an underground place.
« Bwuh ? » exclaimed Yuu.
Crowley lifted him and perched him on his shoulders. He then reassured the young one by explaining what was going on.
« Couldn't he have materialized a beach of fine sand instead ? » said Yuu.
« Hahaha ! »
Crowley threw his sword, countering a jet of kunaïs. Yuu then took support on his father shoulders, then threw his foot. He touched Mito on the shoulder, who collapsed in the lava. Yuu resumed support thanks to the push during the impact. The redhead got up, then went back to the attack. Crowley grabbed her ankle before throwing her on a colleague. After which he launched a powerful attack that not only broke the illusion, but also severely cut a side of the building.
« Never do this at mom's place. » advised Yuu.
« Oh ? You think she does not like my style of architecture ? » responded Eusford.
« Naaah, she's more the classical type like many. » smiled Yuu.
He descended from his father's shoulders. Okay, Mika must have cleared off the camp without wound, Akane would be happy. He turned to the soldier on the floor. The amethyst orbs crossed the rubies. Here is the one who had raised Mika, thought Yuuichiro. Guren, for his part, was watching this little boy. A child among vampires. He wondered for a moment if he could not take him hostage : he looked particularly close to the big redhead. On the other hand, he doubted it was a good idea. More like it would make the enemy more upset. Besides, Crowley did not give him time to think about it, and ordered Guren to be tied up. Yuu walked away with him.
On the soldiers' side, the group had gathered in a building. Shinoa, seeing Mika's pensive look approached him.
« How are you feeling ? » she interrogated.
« I don't know. I was thinking about Yuuichiro. I could never forget everything he did for me and my family in Sanguinem, nor that he allowed us to flee. Yet today we are forced to fight. » he said.
« Did you really feel like fighting with him ? » intervened Kimizuki.
Mika rise his head, without understanding.
« I rather have the feeling that he never intended to confront you. When we arrived in front of him, he clearly told us that this Crowley was too strong for us. And indeed, he was. Yuuichiro arranged to move you away, even sending you back to us when he could have killed you. He had the opportunity, however. Finally, when the adult recognized you he considered the idea to fight you, and again the little one dissuaded him. » exposed Kimizuki.
Mika rounded his eyes. Now that his comrade said it, he recognized that the young vampire had not fought him seriously. His father had easily defeated the most seasoned soldiers of the unit. The blonde would clearly have had no chance if he had to be measured at against the ginger.
« But then ... Yuu protected me ? » he thought.
Exactly as before. Which meant that he always considered him a friend. A small smile stretched the teen's lips.
« I see. I am happy in this case. » he said.
Casually, it relieved him. Unfortunately, there was still the problem of Guren. What to do ? Yuu would certainly still stand in his way. On the other hand, he could doubtless depend on him for his captivity to pass without too many problems. Very honestly, Mika wanted to go back. To leave behind the one who had served as a paternal figure was very hard. If he contacted Yuuichiro, could he get a result ?
« Now that's a stupid idea ! As if he would prefer me to his father. » thought Mika.
Yuu was perhaps at the rebellious age, but should not ask for the moon either. The blonde approached Major Shinya in order to know his plan. But the man chose to continue the mission.
« But … » protested Mika.
« I know what you're thinking, but it's too risky. » cut Shinya.
Mika opened her mouth again, then closed it again. If this vampire had soundly defeated the best of them, what could he hope to accomplish him ? He lowered his head.
As for the vampires, Chess Belle had questioned Guren without success. Yuu had attended the interview sitting beside his father, as hermetic as a statue. Then when the vampires grew tired and left him, the little brown approached the soldier. Guren gave him a look a little bit empty. Yuu sat cross-legged in front of him.
« So. So it was you who took care of Mika and the others so far. » he begun.
Guren rounded his eyes. He knew the Hyakuyas personally ?
« Why this question ? » said Guren.
« Out of curiosity. I spent 4 years with them, that's why. I was there when they fled. Besides, not wanting to throw me flowers, if I had not intervened they would probably all have died, except Mika. » Yuu continued, pressing his face on a hand.
This is how Guren came to recover a whole band. He then questioned the young vampire to find out why he had done so. And the vampire answered plainly that they were just friends. Guren rounded his eyes. What, that's all ? Just for that ? Yuuichiro nodded, with a smile. The man seemed not to believe it. Yuu finally got up. He absented himself for a moment, to return with a glass of water. He came close to Guren and brought the glass closer to his mouth. The officer drank almost without realizing. But the fresh liquid did him much good. He stared at the little vampire, not understanding how he could have paid that kind of attention to him. Yuu went to store the glass. Through a window he saw Akane with a group of vampires. She killed them all in the blink of an eye. Yuu sighed, then jumped into the void.
« Hello Akane. I just met Mika, who is doing very well. I made sure that he escape without hurts from his meeting with my father. »
« I thank you for that Yuu. Where did he go ? »
« That, I don't know, I'm not a diviner either. Well I leave you, I have my mission to continue on my side. »
When Yuuichiro came back upstairs, he discovered his father burdening the prisoner on one shoulder. He advised his son to stay here in his absence.
« Count on that. » thought the dark-haired one.
When would they stop taking him for a baby ? Yuu waited a while for Eusford to leave before leaping through a window and to follow him from a distance. And since he did not go as fast as the adult he was forced to keep that distance. Finally, the tall two-color vampire stopped. The human was placed on the ground. Crowley decided to inspect the place a little before Krul arrived. This obliged his son to camouflage himself quite properly. Finally, the arrival of his mother allowed the young vampire to be able to observe the scene. The queen spotted Crowley quickly from her perch. The latter raised an thumb, meaning that everything had gone well. She nodded slightly. Krul then began to address her troops, while Ferid made his appearance on the scene.
Yuu tried to get closer in order to hear their conversation. Unfortunately, he could not advance much and had to rely on his hearing. Apparently, Ferid was the one who had revealed the location of nobles to humans ... including that of his father. Yuu clenched his fist, and had to hold back for not going to bite Bathory. How could Akane believe that Yuu had any influence over him ? He looked more like a lost cause in the eyes of the prince. The follow-up of the events was then quite astonishing. The human freed himself suddenly, killing the vampire interrogating him. Yuu swallowed. He could have very well done it at the town hall and killed them all. However, Krul Tepes demonstrated that this little show was not enough. Finally, she announced that everyone had to go to Nagoya airport. On the way she came up to Crowley.
« Is Yuuichiro safe ? » questionned Krul.
« I told him to stay at the town hall. There should be no problem. » answered Crowley.
« Good. »
The group of vampires went away. Yuu carefully left his hiding place to follow them at a distance. He hoped that Akane had managed to get his friend back. Finally, some time later, all the actors were assembled for the grand finale. Yuu spotted his father alongside Ferid. Well, Yuu's act was going to start. The young vampire was for a moment distracted by what was happening further. An angel had just appeared. Yuu contemplated what was happening, nailed to the spot. So that was a seraph. No wonder the vampires wanted to put order in it. When a second of these beings appeared, in the person of Mika, Yuu shook himself. If he missed his niche everything would be over. The little vampire walked towards the two nobles. Crowley was the first to notice him.
« Yuuichiro ! What the hell are you doing here ?! » he exclaimed.
Yuu did not answer and continued to move forward. Ferid straightened a bit when he saw him arrive.
« I ordered you to stay at the town hall ! » resumed Eusford.
« I'm not here for you. But for him. » responded finally Yuu, showing Ferid.
The two vampires blinked. The prince marched to the 7th progenitor before whom he planted himself, looking him straight in the eye.
« I know what you intend to do. And I'm asking you to give it up. »
An angel passed by. If we can say so (just in case : in French this mean there's a silence. Can also be a word game in this situation).
« What ? » was all Ferid could answer.
Yuu got closer and took his hands.
« Don't do it Ferid. Not now that you have what you wanted. You wanted to be a painter, you're one now. You wanted to kill time, that's what you do with me. You think you're a monster, I do not see you like that. You're from my family Ferid, so please do not ruin everything. »
Ferid swallowed. But how was he aware of his intentions ? Why should it be precisely he who intervenes ?
« Yuu, I think you're too young too understand. I… »
« And you ? What does it take for YOU to understand ? » cut Yuu.
« I don't know how you discovered what I'm planning, but do not get in the way. » resumed Ferid.
He took him by the waist, lifted him and put him on Crowley's side.
« I see. No more mother, no more father, no more family ... and no more of me either. »
In three leaps, Yuu moved away from the adults. He looked at Ferid. The noble frowned. He had a bad feeling. This look was too much like a farewell. Yuu walked towards the seraph. Normally first, then faster and faster.
« What is he doing ?! » exclaimed Crowley.
Ferid opened his mouth. He saw himself painting at the side of the little one. Indeed, thanks to him he had realized an old dream. The only person in this world, who did not see him as a monster and who really loved him. Suddenly, Yuu gave a long shrill whistle. The vampires then saw the blonde seraph turn towards him.
« YUU ! » Crowley shouted.
« MY BABY ! » yelled Krul, horrified.
Eusford wanted to rush when he was outstripped. He discovered with surprise Ferid rushing in pursuit of his son. The redhead looked up at the blonde in the air. The latter raised his spear of salt. If Crowley's heart was still beating he would have had a heart attack. But Ferid managed to reach the little one and catch him. The noble imprisoned Yuuichiro in his arms. In the same time, he turned to offer his back to the attack to come. Fortunately, Mika was struck by a series of golden flashes. He fell. On his side, Yuu looked up at Ferid, who was still holding him.
« Thank you. » he said.
Ferid looked at him.
« BUT WHAT IN HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU ?! » screamed the noble.
He released Yuu, but grabbed him by the shoulders to rotate him a little brusquely, at the risk of dismounting him the spine.
« YOU'RE COMPLETELY CRAZY SERIOUSLY ! DO YOU EVEN REALIZE HE COULD HAVE KILL YOU ?! » roared Ferid.
Yuichiro smiled at him, then hugged him.
« You chose me. That's what I wanted, Ferid. » responded Yuu with a soft smile.
Bathory was left speechless, for the first time in centuries. He felt himself fall on the kneecaps. Yuu put a hand on the vampire's neck, resting his head on the young's shoulder.
« I'm begging you, I don't want to lose anyone today. You included. » he said.
Ferid clenched his teeth before squeezing Yuu against him. And not without insulting him in every possible and imaginable way mentally. Behind him, Crowley was speechless. Could it be that Yuu succeeded ? Farther on, Krul was astounded. Ferid Bathory, that trickster, this twisted, had simply saved her son. Akane's voice drew her from her reflection.
« Well played Yuu. » she smiled.
Krul looked at her.
« You knew ? You knew what would happen ? » asked Tepes.
« No. But I knew your son is the weak point of Ferid. I hoped he would be able to coax him. » resumed Akane.
« What do you mean ? » interrogated Krul
Akane just smiled. It was time for her to move on to the next stage. The young vampire slipped away before the Queen could question her further. She joined Mika's squad who had recovered him. Krul watched her run away, before turning her attention back to her son. He always held Ferid against him. The sovereign advanced towards them. Crowley did the same. Then they stopped a few yards away, not knowing how to react. Yuu raised his head, and smiled at his mother. Later behind, the humans turned their attention to them.
« Come on, time to go home. » he said softly.
« But … »
« Come please. I want to go home now. » resumed Yuu, by sticking his forehead against his.
Ferid sighed, wondering once again how the brown was doing that. Yuu took his hand. Ferid stood up.
« Mommy. » invited Yuu.
Ferid tensed for a moment. Crap ! With all that he could not ... he turned his head to see where the humans were. They were coming to them. Indeed, it was time to return. Yuu also motioned to his father. He nodded his head with a smile. It had gone much better than he had hoped. Yuu had succeeded. Ferid had not attacked the queen and neither did he.
Some time later, in Sanguinem. Krul was vociferating against her son in the throne room. Yuu stood before her, head bowed. Crowley, for his part, was in the adjoining room, the door half open, watching both the queen and his son and Ferid. The latter paced, dropping from time to time a how and a why. He still could not get over Yuuichiro's action and the result. Eusford was amused at seeing him thus disconcerted. Usually everything he did was like music paper, without the slightest false note. But not this time. This time there had been a severe false note indeed. The nobleman looked really lost. Ferid finally let himself fall on a sofa, his forehead leaning against his crossed hands.
Yuuichiro had diverted him from his goal. Without doing much more, just ... just by showing him what really mattered to him. So then, Ferid had chosen the child. When he had seen him rush to the seraph and call out to him ... the nobleman had rushed after him without even realizing it. The reaction had been instinctive. He had not thought for a second, just acted. It was beyond logic for him, and he could not understand. Or perhaps refused to do so. One thing was certain : Yuu counted for him, more than he had believed. His very weakness. On the other side, Krul's voice was silent. Yuu had not moved. He simply raised his head.
« Get out of here. You are punished until further notice. » she said.
Yuu nodded and went away. Krul sighed. She was still unaware that her son had probably saved her. He had acted because of Ferid, but for what reason ? What had he tried ? Turning her head, she found Crowley spying. She folded the index finger, telling him to join her.
« Crap. » thought the concerned one.
He casted a last glance at Ferid, still prostrated and went out. He closed the door and walked to the queen.
« So ? I thought our son was safe ? » she said.
« And I truly believed he was. Highness, please conceive that in matter of escaping Yuu is the king. I cannot foresee everything. He had obeyed me until now, why should he have changed his mind ? » responded Crowley.
« That's what I'd like to know. I know it has something to do with Ferid. It looked like he wanted him to go after him, but why ? » resumed Krul.
Eusford did not reply. If he revealed what he knew, Yuu's efforts to prevent a drama would be reduced to naught. The little vampire wanted to protect everyone, including his old human friend. Crowley had noticed at the town hall that he had not taken the fight seriously. Yuuichiro had consciously discarded Mika from the confrontation. Later, he had prevented his family from spliting themselves.
« Well ? Tell me what you know. » asked Krul.
« Sorry, but I cannot. For the sake of our son's efforts. » finally said Crowley.
« It's an order, Crowley. »
« No. Yuu is trying to protect us all, and I won't ruin it. »
Protect them ? Krul frowned. Would that be the reason for his action ? She sighed again. The boy continued to put everything upside down.
« Ferid conspired against me I imagine. And obviously, he meant to go to the act just now. Whatever Yuuichiro thinks I can not let this pass. » she resumed.
So, Krul had suspicions. Ferid had to challenge her before she had any idea.
« But he did nothing. And I doubt that a new opportunity will arise any time soon. He should therefore keep quiet, especially since he seems to me to be confused. »
« Confused ? »
« Yes. He err ... how to say ? The episode of Nagoya marked and destabilized him. I had never seen him like that before. For the first time he acted against what he foresaw. Against himself. He doesn't know how to react. »
Well then. Tepes then asked what role Eusford should have played in this story.
« A bad one. Ferid had asked me to be involved, but I refused. Because of our son by the way. I felt like I was going to betray him. So I planned to turn against him and attack him. » confessed Crowley.
« Hmmm ... it would seem that my son has a strange power over us all. So if I understood correctly, he avoided that I was attacked, that you attacked too and that Ferid become a traitor. » summarized the queen.
Very well done, Yuu. Krul felt proud of her little one. Well, she would shorten his punishment. She then dismissed Crowley. She had to think about what she was going to do now. Krul went into her living-room, and opened the door. Ferid had not moved. Indeed, he seemed disturbed. Krul smirked, then closed the door. Meanwhile, Crowley had joined Yuu in his room. The child was staring at the ceiling, swinging his feet. He narrowed his eyes as his father entered.
« And round two ! » he commented.
Crowley chuckled.
« It is true that you deserve a serious outcry for your disobedience. Well, I know why you did it. » said Crowley approaching.
He sat down on the bed beside his son.
« I know I know. I disobeyed booh naughty me. But it was necessary. » sighed Yuu.
« Yes. I'm impressed by the way : Ferid had never changed his mind before. » resumed the ginger.
« About that, how does he go ? Mother explained herself with him or not ? » interrogated Yuu.
« Not yet. As for how he is doing, it looks like he has lost his brain on the way. »
Yuu sniggered. Really.
« But what's going to happen to us in fact ? Humans have managed to materialize two seraphs. » resumed Yuu, more seriously.
« Hmm, they'll take advantage of it to attack us for sure. This will undoubtedly lead the High Council to gather in Japan. And ... this will bring to light your mother's failure. » responded Crowley.
« What ? » worried Yuu.
« Hyakuya orphans who were supposed to have been eliminated, are actually still alive. It is one of them that has been transformed, and that we have seen. Krul was supposed to have killed them with her own hands. » told Crowley.
« Yes, I think Akane told me about it. Damn it. How are we going to get out of this trap ? »
« Well ... somebody would have to contact them first. I doubt anyone from here would do it, the most high ranked are in the capital. Which should give us time. » responded Crowley.
« I hope so. But no kidding, you adults should stop behaving like kids. I'm starting to get tired of fixing your bullshit. » said Yuu.
« ! »
This kid got nerves ! Even if he was right somehow. Crowley finally laughed and hugged him. Krul entered her room at that moment.
« Crowley Eusford. We surely have a son in common but certainly not a bed. Therefore, I would ask you to get up from there. » she said.
« I had finished anyway. So, Yuu, try to behave. »
« Are you sure I'm the one you should tell that ? » retorted the young one.
« Hahaha ! »
Crowley left the room, leaving the mother and son. Krul sighed. She then approached Yuu. She confessed to him that she had understood the reason for his gesture at Nagoya, and thanked him. She would shorten his punishment in return. Yuu smiled. Krul hugged him and kissed him on the head.