Chapter 18

The crescent moon hung high in the air as the three vampires and the mortal walked to school. It was a bit cold as usual, but it was a clear night- Monday night at that, the first night of classes for the week. Yui couldn't help but pray for this week to be better than the last- free of murder in the very least. It was said good things came from tragedies, and so, ever since that awful night the triplets seemed a bit closer than before. To have them all walk to school like this was rare. Although horrible in the context of killing people, they did work well together. There was a strange deja vu that they'd done things like this in the past too...

"Bitch-chan, are you sure it was Reiji who injured me?" Laito asked with suspicion, feeling over the wound that now lay under his school uniform. He peered over to his left, at Yui, while his two brothers walked in front of them.

"Yeah, who else could it have been?" The blonde asked unsurely, hoping such logic would get him to stop asking her. It hurt to lie to him, but that was the whole point of the memory potion- to protect him. Laito-kun couldn't figure out about his mother's reappearance.

Shrugging, the vampire was still not convinced. "I don't know, I mean a blow to the heart doesn't seem like Reiji's style." He put his finger up to his mouth, thinking through how he'd explain this 'style' to be. "He's more of a torturer, likes to play with his victims. It seems like whomever was aiming to kill, and if he were trying to get answers from me that seems a bit... stupid."

Yui glanced to Ayato with worry as he peered back at the two, hoping he'd save her and give some sort of explanation. She had no clue how to get Laito to stop asking questions.

Instead, his reaction was quite the opposite of helpful. "Titless, you never told us it was Reiji who hurt Laito!" Ayato shouted. "What the hell, did he find out about us? You didn't rat us out, did you?" He gave an intimidating look towards his older brother, who just shrugged again.

"I honestly don't know." Laito chuckled casually, causing the other triplet's cheeks to tint up in embarrassment.

Of course he didn't know, Ayato himself had given Yui the potion so he'd forget. It still made him wonder, what exactly had caused his brother to act -that- way? To give up his own life... If someone had stabbed Laito, he'd probably just shake it off and grin as usual, at least that was the older brother Yours Truly knew. And whomever it was that stabbed him, just ran away afterwards? There was no way Yui had fought them off. Looking now at the quiet blonde, he couldn't help but shake the feeling she knew something they didn't. Little did he know, his brothers had the same suspicions.

"Somethings strange, don't you agree, Teddy?" Kanato asked quietly to his bear.

-x-

The school night went on until the bell rang for lunch, Laito peering to his girlfriend cheerfully. "Bitch-chan, let's have lunch together, okay?" He had that happy-go-lucky grin on his face, causing Yui to feel happy too.

"Of course!" She beamed, her spirits elevated just from his presence. Putting aside that she'd long given up having a normal, romantic relationship with the vampire, it was still a nice gesture.

They found an empty classroom to eat in, the blonde not thinking anything of it but Laito did have some hidden motives from inviting her to lunch. Taking a seat at a desk, Yui took out her lunch box, offering some to the boy who refused anyway. Instead, he leaned over the opposite desk, letting his chin rest in his palm, his shiny green eyes peering at her with interest. Just looking at him like this, the girl couldn't help but wonder why someone so attractive had an interest in her- though he pretty much had an interest in anything that was female before he'd discovered he loved her.

"Y-you're not going to say something like you want me for lunch, are you?" She asked, a small blush tinting her cheeks as he stared at her.

Laito just grinned. "Surprisingly not tonight, Bitch-chan, but..." His grin got wider. "If you don't tell me what happened two nights ago, I might have to get rough."

Her scared eyes went to the door, the vampire chuckling at her plan to escape. "No use.~ I locked it and I don't think you can out run me."

"Laito-kun, I..." Putting down her fork on the table, Yui clutched her arm nervously, peering at the untouched food in front of her. Part of the girl wanted to tell him, maybe with a clear head he might not go insane like he did before but... She thought back to him about to die and suddenly changed her mind. It had to be a secret, she couldn't risk losing him. She couldn't... And, how exactly would he treat her if he knew Cordelia was haunting her body? Maybe Laito would prefer Cordelia in this body if he knew it was possible. She was his true love after all...

"I know that you know something, Bitch-chan." The fedora wearing boy clutched his hands in front of him on the desk, still waiting happily for an answer. "We can play good cop and bad cop if you want but the good cop is getting rather impatient, nfufufu.~"

"I'm trying to protect you, please... just believe me. You're safe now, that person wont hurt you anymore." Yui begged, her voice shaken with emotion, peaking his curiosity even more. He could tell the blonde was scared, but why? To say such a noble thing like he was 'safe now', how could a feeble girl like her ensure someones safety? She couldn't even ensure her own right now.

Laito got up from the chair, the small screech of metal filling the silence as he towered over her. She was scared? It made him all tingly that she could still feel fear for him, despite being head over heels in love. "Bad cop's turn now, nfu!" He chimed, feeling excited that it had went this far. If Bitch-chan would have just admitted it there, then... that would be no fun!

"Now now, don't you go getting excited too, Bitch-chan. I know what you like so I wont be doing anything like -that-." His voice was scolding as he now leaned down to see her face to face. His hands gripped the back of the chair as he flipped it over, causing Yui to fall on her back and hit her head hard against the floor. The vampire laughed maniacally to see her so in such pain, struggling to get up again as her hands went to the back of her head.

"That was cruel." Yui whined as she got to her feet, tears stinging in her eyes. "I'm holding this back for your sake. You were going to let yourself die."

"Hmm? Was I now? I guess we're finally getting somewhere." The boy smirked before he changed his tune again. He walked over to her, his expression getting softer and more caring as he done so. "Now now, Bitch-chan, I wont let that sadistic bad cop hurt you anymore, just tell me."

Yui could feel Laito trail gentle kisses over her ear and behind her head, over where she'd hit against the floor. "L-Laito-kun?" She asked, touched he'd kiss her better. This must've been 'good cop'. His cold hand trailed down her arm, holding her hand as his mesmerizing eyes now were across from hers. He looked so handsome with that expression... but she still couldn't give in!

"Yui, I love you. I know you want to protect me but... bad cop is going to hurt you again if you don't tell me what else you know." He clutched her hand tighter in reassurance, as if the actions of 'bad cop' were out of his control. The girl found herself backing up, flinching when she'd hit the desk she'd been sitting at. He was really enjoying this, wasn't he?

"Laito, I love you too, that's why I can't tell you." The school girl admitted honestly, wondering when he'd stop this game and just listen to her. Just how much more of this could she take was the question.

Unsettling laughter filled the air, the vampire now pulling a knife out of his sleeve and stabbing it down on the table, just between two of her fingers. Yui instantly retreated her hand, clutching it over her chest in fear. He'd never gotten this violent with her before- just wanted to do sexual things and bite her, which she had grown not to mind. But this, it was scary... She didn't think Laito would really hurt her -that- much. Would he?

"Nfufu, that good cop is really stupid, pampering a slut like you isn't going to get you to talk." His once loving expression turned into a sadistic smirk, Yui unsure which expression made him look more attractive. No, no, definitely the other, she didn't like these sorts of things, did she?

"P-please stop fooling around!" The girl begged, clutching her trembling hand tighter against her chest. Her eyes stared at the object in his hand, being prepared for any sudden movements. Just what was he going to do with that knife?

"Fooling around? Well, I suppose I could get serious." Laito said intrigued, planning to turn it up a few notches, just because Bitch-chan asked.

Yui gasped when she felt the pointed object on her thigh, trailing higher. It would definitely hurt if he'd... Her cheeks grew hotter in embarrassment, looking to the boy with fear. "Please don't hurt me!" The blonde begged, her whole body trembling. He was just teasing her! He had to be! Laito wouldn't... He loved her...

"You're such a liar, you know that? You told me that Ayato and Kanato had come to my rescue against Reiji, when really they knew nothing of the sort. Now, you'll answer every single question I have unless I'll make this hurt, nfufu."

She could feel the knife trail along her panty line, quickly letting her know she had no choice. "O-okay, I'll answer anything you ask, just please don't!"

The vampire giggled as he was victorious. "So, was it Reiji who injured me?"

"No."

"So you did lie, nfu? Did you see who it was?"

"No."

The knife moved again, pinching her sensitive skin with its tip, causing Yui to squirm. "I'm telling the truth! I didn't see them, I just- have an idea of who it might have been."

"Who do you think it was?"

"Cordelia." The blonde admitted, shocked when the object had fallen to the floor, the blade clinking against the tile.

Laito began laughing- a lot. He had to wipe his eyes unless he may have cried from laughing so hard. "Bitch-chan, my mother has been dead for a long time. There's no way it could have been her. I'm sorry, I guess this was just a waste of time. To think you'd come to such a ridiculous conclusion." He went to pick up the fallen knife, Yui saying something that almost shocked him.

"B-but what if she's still alive?" The small girl questioned, backing up from him incase he'd thought to hurt her again. "What would you do if she were?"

"I'd kill her." He grinned, standing back up again and putting the knife into his pocket. His smile, it was as if he'd just said something completely normal- though, at this point hearing such things was normal for her.

Yui wondered what that meant. Was Laito trying to kill Cordelia when she had taken over her body? To think she might've came so close to death. Then she began to wonder... "Laito-kun, how did your mother die?" Maybe she shouldn't have asked such a thing but... She was curious and he'd just so openly admitted he'd kill her if she was alive so...

"I killed her, nfufu. Don't you remember when I said I threw my past lover off the balcony? I was talking about her." He explained.

It shocked her to hear such a thing, but she did remember him saying that. "I don't really understand why you would do that. I thought you uhm..." Timid pink eyes looked off to the side, second guessing if she actually wanted to ask him this, scared for both him and herself what his answer would be. "I mean, I thought you loved her so wouldn't you want her to be alive so you two could be together?" That just made sense to Yui, she loved Laito-kun so she wanted him to be alive. Wasn't it the same for everyone- for him?

"I killed her so she could be mine. She couldn't be loyal to me, so it was the only way. Besides, who says if she was alive again that she and I would be together?" Laito retorted, amused by such an absurd thought. How could he talk about things like this so openly? Yui couldn't help but admire how strong he was. She also couldn't help but feel jealous there was a person he had felt -that- way about- well, still did technically.

"Uhm, no one. I'm sorry. I guess it was a stupid thing to assume." The blonde admitted, shifting her feet with discomfort. It made her wonder what she'd do if she were in that situation- if Laito weren't hers right now, would she do the same thing and kill him? It'd be difficult to see him with someone else but... if he were happy doing so, could she intervene?

His arms found their way around her waist, pushing her small frame up against his own. "Nfu, just because you want something bad enough doesn't mean you'll ever get it- only children think that way. You're always going on how much you love me, shouting it to the roof tops, nfufu, like some unknown force will hear your wishes and grant them true."

Yui rested her face up against his chest, knowing what he said was probably true. She already knew she was childish and apparently selfish too. Maybe it was just something she'd have to get used to. Being mature was too difficult, at least now. "But you love me too, right? So haven't my wishes been granted?"

"I suppose so." Laito grinned, pulling her closer against him, holding her in his arms. The two went quiet, enjoying each other's company before the boy spoke again. "Maybe I'm a bit jealous of you, Bitch-chan." He admitted.

Yui was about to ask why before she'd figured it out, feeling dense. Her wishes for Laito to love her had come true, while... his for Cordelia had not. "I'm sorry. I really do admire your feelings for Cordelia, Laito-kun. You love her so much, no matter what. Sure I'm jealous but, I think your feelings are what fascinate me most, even if they're not directed at me." She stopped briefly, gathering her thoughts. "To think that a unconditional love like that exists... it makes me happy. I hope that maybe now... or even one day my love for you can be that strong."

"Ha.~ What're you even saying?" He gave her a soft smile, warming up her heart. He was happy? Or maybe just amused? Either way, that was an expression she liked to see on him.

-x-

"Titless, don't go home yet." Ayato said, his long arms blocking the door way from leaving the school. "I already told Laito and Kanato what was going on but something new has happened with 'you-know-what'."

Yui made an unsure expression, wondering since when she'd been part of 'you-know-what'- which she assumed to be the murder. She supposed she did help cover it up and... if Laito-kun were in danger she better be an active member in this to protect him. It couldn't hurt just simply knowing what was going on. "Sure. I guess you want to go somewhere private to talk?"

They ended up going to the school pool room, sitting down by the water. Not bothering to turn on the main set of lights, the room was illuminated in blue by the small amount present- probably for safety reasons. Yui wrapped her arms around her knees, staring off at large amount of water before her. She'd considered dipping in her feet, but not being able to see the bottom made her abandon that idea. When Ayato sat down beside of her, she scooted over, nervous for what he may do.

"What? Are you scared I'm going to push you in?" The vampire chuckled, almost considering the idea but now probably wasn't the time.

"Maybe a little." Yui admitted, hoping her mistrust wouldn't make him feel bad. They did do a lot of horrible things to her so it wasn't like she could be blamed. None the less, It felt strange around Ayato now, like maybe the two were sorta friends? It really would be nice for Laito's brother's to accept her- especially his full brothers. "So, what did you want to tell me about 'you-know-what'?"

"Well..." The boy looked off at the water, his eyebrows furrowing with irritation- not at Yui, but at this whole situation. "Some rumors made it around the school about vampires existing and the missing a girl... I mean, of course the vampire one's aren't taken seriously by the student body but I think they may have made their way back to Reiji. He has a dinner party planned for Wednesday night and has warned everyone what he plans to talk about- the missing potion and the missing girl. Ugh..." Ayato rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger, at a loss for what they could do now. "Of course Reiji isn't stupid so I knew it would get back to him eventually. He probably knows with full certainty it was one of us."

The blonde nodded, looking to the other with sympathy. "I guess all we can do is just pretend we don't know anything." Of course these vampire's didn't deserve her sympathy but Yui really didn't wish for them to be hurt. She'd heard before of Reiji's punishment for Subaru, capturing his girlfriend and whipping and abusing her right in front of him. The other girl was left barely able to move because of it- and all because Subaru interrupted the last dinner party. Yui and Laito got off easy in comparison, just with those little potions that messed with their sex hormones.

"Yeah, but even then, Reiji might torture you to get answers. You better not say anything, titless." Ayato threatened, his look proving he was capable of much worse than Reiji if he had to be. "If you do, you'll get it even worse from Yours Truly." It was worse than the wrath of Reiji, if this sort of stuff got out about vampires walking among the living, his father might even get notified of it.

"I wont say anything." Yui reassured, a bit hurt by his threats. The girl ended up flinching however when the red head wrapped his arm around her, almost thinking his action was romantic before he spoke.

"Also, another reason I wanted to talk to you- I'm confused about what happened to Laito the other night and you're going to tell me everything you know unless I'm going to push you into this pool. I hope you can swim. Everyone else went home so good luck screaming for help." Sharp fangs showed under his lips as Ayato gave her a sadistic smirk, his hand gripping tightly on her waist so she couldn't escape. Not again. Apparently Laito and him weren't much different when it came to getting answers.

Her eyes widened in fear, knowing for a fact she could not swim. The water was so deep... where did it even end? It was at least three times her height from what Yui could tell. Would it hurt telling Ayato-kun everything? Putting aside the fact that she didn't want to drown, maybe he could even help her with her current predicament? "I-I'll tell you everything, please just don't!"

"Good, speak up."

Yui could feel Ayato's weight getting stronger against her, eager to push her into the water if she didn't speak and speak quickly. "Well, it wasn't Reiji-san, at least I don't think. I didn't actually see Laito get stabbed but I know it was with a piece of glass. There was a broken picture frame in the room so I'm assuming there was a fight with whomever it was... But I was the only one there... I think... this is going to sound ridiculous so please bear with me. I think it was Cordelia, your mother, who did this." The girl scanned his expression before continuing, noticing the red head was shocked, probably thinking she was a liar, or just stupid like Laito had thought earlier.

"I know it's crazy and that she's dead but I've been hearing her voice a lot. She talks to me on and off and has told me before about taking over my body. Please believe me, Ayato-kun." She begged.

His arm retreated from behind her, the vampire just staring with disbelief. He didn't understand how Yui could come up with something like this by herself but how was such a thing even possible? Was she insane? He'd killed his cunt of a mother a long time ago. Maybe it was true though? Ayato could feel his anger taking over his body, the very thought of that woman making him want to hurt this girl who was supposedly her host. But no- it wasn't Yui's fault. Did faults really matter to him? Since when did he start caring about -her- safety? "Can you talk to her whenever you want or... it just sorta comes and goes?"

The blonde could tell he was mad, but at least he hadn't hurt her. She didn't know what Ayato's past with Cordelia was like so it was really a long shot taking this risk. Though, if she hadn't told him, she could have easily been at the bottom of the pool right now. "I don't think. She just sorta adds a comment when she feels like it but according to some of the stuff she's said I think she always knows what I'm doing."

"I see." Ayato muttered, knowing his mother was probably silent and hiding now- assuming titless wasn't nuts of course. "I don't understand why Laito would die for -that- woman... But I guess it makes more sense than dying by Reiji."

"Yeah..." Yui admitted, unsure what else she could say. It was obvious Ayato was unaware of Laito and Cordelia's 'relationship' and maybe that was for the best. "I take it you have negative feelings towards Cordelia too, Ayato-kun?" She peered to him now, her pink eyes timid and curious.

"Of course I do, she was no mother to me. She practically abused me everyday- all so I could be better than -him-."

"I'm sorry." It wasn't much of a surprise to the girl that Cordelia had been horrible to all of her sons. She wondered if that were the case for Kanato too, surely with the way his personality was it would make sense. "Who is him?"

"Shu." The red head said, venom in his voice.

"Huh? Why would she care if you were better than Shu-san?"

"So I could become the vampire leader and in return, the successor of my father." Ayato explained, shifting as he wrapped his arms around his knees, resting down his chin and peering off as he remembered his past. "Of course that will happen anyway. The only one that could win the vampire throne is Yours Truly."

"I guess so." Yui smiled lightly, making her feel happy Ayato had some ambitions despite his seemingly horrible past. She didn't know their father was so important though. "You don't have to worry about Cordelia taking over my body anymore... I was just being stupid when it happened... I-I want to protect everyone." The girl said with determination, causing the vampire to smirk.

"Good, because If I have to hear from that woman again then I'll probably kill the both of you."

Yui gulped with fear, hoping it wouldn't have to come down to that. Laito had also said he'd kill Cordelia if she ever showed up again. She wondered if the situation would change if he'd known she'd show up again in -her- body. Would Laito hold back for Yui's sake? "I guess that's fair. Uhm, also please don't tell anyone else about this, especially Laito. I'm scared he might treat me differently if he knew." She pleaded.

"Hmm, what does Yours Truly get in return?"

Why did he always need things in return? Couldn't he just be nice? Stupid question. "W-what do you want?" She asked reluctantly.

Ayato frowned before getting up to stand. Looking down at the girl now, her pathetic expression as she probably thought about Laito. He could tell it wasn't even worth it. Laito would always be number one for her- not him. She must have something wrong with her head not to like Yours Truly, that was the conclusion he'd come to but it still pissed him off. "Nevermind. I was going to ask for a drink of your blood but it pisses me off too much that you're -his-. I wont tell anyone about -that- and you wont tell anyone about the murder. We're even. Goodnight."

The triplet left then, leaving Yui alone by the pool. Did it really matter to Ayato that much who she belonged to?

-x-

The next night came around, Yui was waiting in the lobby after school to meet up with Laito to walk home together. Besides the two interrogations the prior night- which weren't really that bad, things had been going rather well for the girl. Laito had been acting like a semi-normal boyfriend, and all of the other brothers hadn't treated her all that bad. Two good nights in a row, it only served to make her uneasy. Was the apocalypse on it's way or something? Maybe not! Maybe things were finally shaping up? She couldn't be so negative. Shifting her school bag from side to side, the blonde thought happily about her boyfriend she loved so much- until another girl appeared.

She was taller than Yui but only by a bit, long blue-black hair straight down to her waist, equally as dark eyes and wearing the same academy uniform. She was kinda like a model, so thin, tall and pretty. The blonde had glanced to her with curiosity, not expecting the girl to speak to her- not expecting that she'd been looking for her specifically.

"Hey, you go out with that boy whose always wearing a fedora, right?" The dark haired girl asked, her tone straight to the point. Yui could sense some irritation in her tone as she mentioned Laito, wondering why that was. She seemed like a strong person though in her opinion- someone who was not easily swindled.

"Ah, y-yeah I guess so. Why?" The shorter girl asked, her heart speeding up in fear- the worst possible conclusions jumping in her mind. Why did she want to know about Laito? What if this girl liked him too? What if he'd had sex with her before? What if...?

The stranger nodded in reply, looking down at the tile floor before back up at Yui- her expression hinting sympathy. "Mm, I see. I have something I want to tell you. Let's go somewhere more private, okay?"

Her pink eyes widened, wondering what this all meant. None the less, the blonde ended up following her down the hall. What if this was a trap? What if she was telling her Laito was breaking up with her to have this girl instead? Maybe the new girl was innocent but she'd simply witnessed Laito do more horrible things? Yui knew she had to stop worrying before it drove her crazy, but it was so difficult. He was practically her meaning of existence now- no family or friends, just trapped in that mansion, Laito was all she had. She couldn't lose him.

The dark haired girl led her to the girl's washroom, stopping in front of one of many sinks. She looked concerned.

"S-so, what is it?" Yui asked shyly.

"Well, I suppose I should introduce myself, I'm Veye. I need some information from you and... maybe I thought I could help you some too."

"I'm Yui, it's nice to meet you. I'm confused." Help? She didn't need her help. What was this girl on about?

Veye continued then, her look getting less uncomfortable and more serious. "You seem like a nice person so I didn't think you'd be involved in something like this- I hope I'm right. I'm sure you've heard rumors about a girl going missing from the dance last week. Well... I think I have some proof of who it was. I got a picture of that night."

The blonde's mouth fell open in shock. She'd... gotten a picture? Of Laito? No... Things would get out about him killing someone if that picture was sent to the cops. Reiji would be mad and even worse the authorities! She'd lose Laito-kun if this got out. But what could Yui do? She couldn't be obvious, she had to play her part. She was the innocent victim... right? "W-wow, that's pretty impressive. I don't understand why you're telling me though." She twiddled her thumbs in front of her, feigning innocence. This girl didn't frighten her, not when her objective was so clear- she had to protect Laito-kun.

"Oh, well..." Veye hesitated before speaking again. "This is the part where you may be a bit upset to hear but... I think it's your boyfriend in the picture." Taking out her phone from her pocket, a device Yui hadn't seen for awhile since hers had gotten broken, the girl flipped through and held it up for the other to see.

It was dark, and not the greatest quality picture but... it was Laito carrying that dead girl, the one wearing Yui's pink dress. The blonde pretended to be shocked, wondering what sort of reaction an innocent person would have, not someone who had helped cover up such murder.

To be continued...

(AN: Dun dun dun. Will Laito get in trouble?~ Or will Yui protect him? I'm sorry this chapter took so long, just been so busy and then school starting back up for me. ;w; My chapters will probably take around this time to write now since school... blah. But I'll try to speed it up. I need my motivation back too. If people care then next chapter will come quicker, so please review.~ I'm sorry this chapter was mostly talking- I promise next one will be more action packed... haha.)