Hello! Back from my holidays at least one hue darker of skin (I was white as a paper before. My coworkers asked me numerous times how I could be so pale)

Whatever. This fic is soon finished. It took me... I started late July, early August 2005 I think... yes, that must be it. Anyway, I hope you like the chapter. The title says it all so I don't have to waste words on it. Read, enjoy and for God's sake don't forget to review. I love you guys out there.

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She stood at the field north of her castle, the north line of her kingdom. The castle looked very safe from her view, like the white guardian of Scotland she so dearly wished she was. That was when she felt the presence of a vampire. She turned around, and surprise filled her eyes as she realized who it was. "Brother?"

"Come," he called. "Let us leave. Come home with me."

There was a longing in his voice and he reached out for her, ready to take her away. Oh how she wished she could take that hand and flee, run from everything. But as she turned around to look back at the white castle that was her home, she knew she couldn't. It was a fact she deep down didn't want to accept. But it was true… her brother had died two years ago. And there was no way to have him back. The knowledge was painful, but by death she was defeated. It was just the way the world worked.

"I wish that I could cry," she said with the voice of a pained heart. "Then maybe I would be able to laugh again. I wish that I could go with you. With all my heart I wish I could."

When she faced him again she tried to smile, but knew that she probably failed miserably. His face was one of disbelief. The stone in her heart grew heavy, her chest felt so tight. "But this is my home, brother. I can not leave. Not for anything… or anyone. Not even you."

"Sister…" He looked at her with a hint of fear. Of what she was not able to tell. Maybe was he losing himself? But she couldn't do anything to save him, as the other way around.

"No… I can not leave. Forgive me, my brother. But my fate and time has already captured me in its fist. This is a moment when not even the doom's day can stop what has already been predicted. Just like not even God can change what already has been."

"My sister… why are you denying me?" his voice was only a whisper, which was carried to her by the wind, freezing her heart with sorrow.

"I love you, brother," she whispered, all of her regret slipping into her voice. "But this is all I can do. Because there is nothing else left. You had to leave me… now I stand alone. You can not save me… Nobody can."

Then everything faded away.

Yuniko was tired, exhausted to the point she wondered if she would ever be able to wake up again. Somewhere far away she could still hear the wind that had blown inside of her mind which her brother had invaded. Her chest still felt cold and tight. She had always been denied the bliss of waking up in obliviousness. Every morning the first thing she knew was that her kingdom was in danger, that the people were scared, that her brother and father were forever gone and that so much was expected from her.

She heard a soft squeak and a little ray of warmth peeked into her heart, lighting up a picture of a huge golden eagle. At first she thought it was Sky, but then realized this eagle was bigger, older, and by all means stronger.

Guardian? her soul whispered.

The mighty eagle walked clumsily towards her, something that looked like a smile on his hard mouth.

Not afraid, he said as he carefully and lovingly nuzzled her cheek with his powerful beak. Always here, protecting Treasure.

He had a very deep voice. It was the first time Yuniko ever heard it. Of course she had been able to sense it, but had been too young to really comprehend what it was.

A lonely, brightly shining tear ran down her face and she realized her soul had been crying for a very long time. But no one can protect me, she whispered.

Guardian's beak touched her naked chest, gently lifting her up from her slumping position. Can protect Treasure's life, no, he said gently, letting her glide down his neck to sit on his back. But Treasure's heart, he smiled as he took off towards a sky that opened up in the darkness around them.

Yuniko held onto Guardian's neck with her small arms. She realized she was only a small child again. Behind the bigger Guardian she noticed Sky following them.

My son, Guardian said. Very protective, love Treasure much.

Yuniko smiled a little. So Sky was Guardian's son? She should have guessed.

Familiar green fields filled her view as she looked down. She saw sheep and their herds, cows enjoying the warmth of the sun, wild rabbits and other small animals played hide and seek in the grass. People were working on their small fields. Children played their games around trees, houses and bushes, or gladly helped their families with what needed to be done.

Land beautiful thanks to Treasure, Guardian said. No Treasure, no peace.

But I can not be here forever! Yuniko called out. I can not protect the land forever.

Treasure protect land and people, Guardian almost scolded her. Can do no more.

But I want to do more. How can I protect the land when I am not there anymore?

Treasure only human. Can do only what humans can do. He turned in the air and flew closer to the green ground. The entire land looked like a dream. Still, she knew it was real. She had never been far away from the castle, so she had never actually seen this perfect picture of the daily life of her kingdom.

This land good for cups to grow, Guardian told her softly. Treasure make land good.

But my end is so soon to come, Yuniko said.

Treasure think lonely thoughts, the great eagle scolded her once again. Treasure never lonely. Never left Treasure. Son never leave Treasure. He looked down onto the ground, towards a free, white horse with golden hints in the mane. She never leave Treasure, the king of heaven said just as Yuniko realized the horse was Unicorn. Little humans too. Little humans never leave Treasure.

The white castle came into view, ever so proud, ever so safe.

Treasure must go back. Little humans scared.

Yuniko slowly opened her eyes, slowly letting her blurred vision clear. The ceiling was dark, but showed a tint of gold and pink. It was just the break of dawn. She was still tired and would gladly have gone back to sleep, but Guardian urged her awake.

Slowly she realized that there must be many persons in her room. She could hear them breathe. She turned her head to the left first, where she heard lesser breathing. On the bed beside her, holding onto her hand and dress tightly, Malin and Mokuba slept with small frowns on their faces.

Yuniko turned her head to the right and found her half sisters in a similar position, but they didn't sleep on the bed. Both of them sat on the floor, Kyoko holding onto her arm with her small, strong hands and Ryouko to her hand with her long, thin piano fingers. All four pairs of hands on her loved her and protected her, and wanted her to come back to them. She must have slept longer than only through the night.

Beyond her sisters Yuniko noticed Joey sitting in a chair with his head leaning against his chest, fast asleep. Honda occupied another chair, resting his head against the chairs high back. There were many more people in the room. Governor Duke, Rebecca, old chef Solomon, the younger of her councilmen… with some satisfaction she noticed Ken among them.

"Little humans scared". That's what Guardian had told her. She had been unconscious for at least four days for all of these people to gather around her bed waiting for her awakening.

The window suddenly opened by a soft wind, as if careful to not wake anybody, and Sky landed in the open window, the morning light colouring his feathers in gold.

"I am sorry for making you worry," Yuniko said softly.

Mistress fine now? Sky asked, moving closer to her.

Fine now, she calmed him. Please tell Unicorn I am fine. I will see her later.

Sky clapped with his beak in greeting before he turned and left.

Yuniko sat up slowly, but wasn't able to get her sisters, Malin and Mokuba to let go of her. She noticed someone had gone through the trouble of taking away the wedding dress and dressed her in a plain, white night gown.

Smiling softly she carefully wiggled out of the four pairs of hands and walked up to the window. It was a beautiful morning, and on the roof of the guarding tower below her window she could see the see-through spirit of Guardian.

Always here, protecting Treasure, he said before the image faded away.

"Yuni…"

She turned to her side, where Joey just had mumbled in his sleep. She had to admit that he was very cute when asleep. He looked like an angel.

"I am here. There is nothing to worry about anymore," she breathed into his ear.

Smiling she watched how his body relaxed deeper into the chair. She remembered how he had asked her to marry him, or rather suggested it without being prepared for it himself. He was a great friend and she loved him. And she loved Malin, Mokuba and her sisters. But more than anything she loved Scotland. And the people were a part of her. She would protect them until the end of her life and beyond.

She was running towards the image of the queen in front of her. But the more she ran, the farther away the smiling queen seemed to be. She tried to call out to her, but no sound escaped her lips. She was running out of breath and still the image became ever more distant. She saw how the queen turned her back to her with a smile of gratitude and disappear, and then a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders.

Ryouko awoke with a start. "Princess…"

"I am here."

The white-haired girl swirled around in her sitting position and came face to face with the queen. She was the one who had grabbed her shoulders in order to wake her from her nightmare. "P-prince… I mean, Yuniko…"

"I am fine now," Yuniko told her gently, answering Ryouko's unspoken question. "Everything is fine."

"Are you sure? You have been sleeping for six days."

Yuniko sat on the bed beside her, letting her half-sister rest against her legs. She spoke quietly, seemingly not wanting to wake the others up yet. "Magic is a dangerous tool. It eats away on the one using it. Therefore, using as much power as I did I was bound to lose consciousness for a long time."

"And you are fine now?"

"Not completely, I am hungry, but that matter is easily taken care of. How have things been while I was resting?"

"Terrible, your majesty," Ryouko whined. "Not for the people, but for us in the castle. The council will execute Ken the moment of your majesty's awakening…"

"Please call me by name now when we are alone. Right now there is no use for formalities."

Ryouko nodded slowly, fighting to pick up line again. "Everyone has been worried out of their minds for your health and safety… Yuniko. Ken is here because they wish for you to carry out the order of his execution."

Yuniko hushed at her sister who was talking faster and faster. "Calm down. I will not order him to be executed." The relief on Ryouko's face was remarkable. "To execute him would go against everything I believe in. That is what you too know, is it not? That is why you are so scared about the matter?"

Ryouko nodded her head, unable to talk.

"I can sense there is something else you wish to talk to me about, but let it wait until later. The others are beginning to wake up as well.

Needless to say the entire castle sighed in relief when it was announced the queen had awoken. But as soon as she was dressed she wanted to see her council in the throne room, to decide the fate of Ken.

Dressed in her faintly blue dress with long, bright blue sleeves and the midnight blue ribbon on her back and the sliver cross around her neck, visible for all to see, the queen sat on the throne, Malin at her side, looking down at Ken.

"Dear Ken," the queen started. "The first time you betrayed me you attacked me, and tried to steal my crucifix, the same one now hanging around my neck. That was the time it, and heed my words; my crucifix was the one to cause you those scars in your face."

Ken didn't move. He was kneeling at the base of the stairs with his head hanging low. He had deeply underestimated the queen, but even more so, the vampires. He knew there was no other way out for him than losing his head. He could feel the cold glares from everyone else in the room… except for the queen.

"The second time you had learnt your lesson to not head straight for me yourself, but to call upon a friend of yours, even more so, your uncle."

Those words caused a wave of whispers over the collected. That was new information for all of them. Not even Ken could have imagined the queen to figure that out.

"How…?" he asked with a lump in his throat.

"I have always known you had Irish blood, but I confess it took me a while to figure out late lord Thomas was a relative of yours. But old signs never lie. You and our late Thomas flip your hand the same way when you write."

Quite a few "aha" sounds were heard in the room, Jono and Malin among them. Ken only gulped and nodded in understanding.

"When I realized that you and late Thomas were related I sent a message to an Irish friend of my own and asked him to find out how, that is why I know. But that was beside the subject. Ken, if I had actually been married to late lord Thomas, you would become a part of the Scottish royal family, and that way your new title would protect you from our enemies, the vampires. Or so you thought. You knew that I could not turn down late lord Thomas's offer to join forces with Scotland, because if I did it would most likely be my fall. Thomas had high contacts in Ireland, England, and Wales as well, and to fool them to attack my kingdom would not be a problem. But at the same time there were one thing you had not foreseen; the actual reason for me to accept your late uncle's offer."

Ken looked up a little, confused of what she meant. Was the threat of war not the reason?

"So you still have not realized it? My dear, have you forgotten I am already at war? The reason for me to join forces with Ireland was to fight the vampires. And that you had forgotten to mention to your dear uncle. Am I right?"

The scarred councilman gulped again, face pale, and nodded.

"I am positive you still remember what happened that same night?" the queen continued, receiving another nod from the kneeling man. "I have a guess of who was paying late Thomas a visit that night, because had it been the one who took my father's life, he would have died that night. Before you ask," she cut off Ken's question before he could voice it. "Yes, I am familiar with some of the vampires. Since their goal is to have me killed I have had a few personal conflicts with a few of them. And those few I can tell are the strongest of the vampire tribe. This I can tell, because I have kept a magical barrier around Scotland since my brother died."

Everyone in the room flinched slightly at her words. Few knew about the queen's unusually strong magic. Most of them believed only witches could use it. Of course the thought of blaming the queen for using witchcraft would never cross their minds.

"But your majesty…" Ken started. "To keep up a permanent barrier… not even the strongest of witches would manage such a thing."

"Do not dare to compare my magic to witchcraft, Ken," the queen warned. "The barrier I managed to keep permanent only because my only wish is to protect my kingdom, and my people. To put it simply; Scotland is protected by my wish to keep her safe. And as long as I sit on the throne the barrier will stay up, keeping the vampires in place, unable to spread through the entire world. That is also the reason they wish to see me dead."

Ken slumped down, defeated. He had been a fool way beyond his own imagination. How could he ever have believed he was smart? The queen would go through Hell to protect the people, and he had almost sacrificed the entire earth's peace and freedom to protect himself. He felt like crawling away and bury himself alive for his treason.

"I see your regret, Ken," the queen said, her voice softer. "But as I told you when you got those scars, I would only give you one more chance. And you choose to once again betray me."

A tear of pure shame rolled down Ken's face, falling onto the mat. Right now he would give anything for another chance, but the queen had always stayed true to her promises. She could not leave him without punishment. And the punishment for treason was immediate death.

"Ken, I have judged you, and your penalty is banishment."

Sounds of protest began to rise, but it was silenced by a move of the queen's hand.

"Leave, Ken," the queen's voice sounded. "Leave, and never come back. From now on, or until you are outside the lines of my kingdom, you are on your own, completely without my protection."

Ken nodded, accepted his punishment, and rose to leave. No one tried to stop him.

"One more thing," the queen's voice suddenly sounded, right before Ken exited the room. He turned and looked at her. "Take care," she said.

There were many who thought the queen to be too kind at that moment, but Ken felt a wave of relief. Though he had betrayed her twice, she still forgave him. That was more than he could possibly ask for.

"Long live the queen," he praised her with loud voice and raised arms, then exited the room.

"You never stop surprising me, your majesty," Ryouko said that same evening when she, Kyoko and Malin sat in the small dining room, drinking tea.

"What have I done now?"

"You saved Ken from the axe, banished him and he forgave you. He is the only one I will ever know of to forgive the one who judged him."

"It is not as simple as that," Malin said. "He was a fool, but he did not realize it until the night of the wedding, when Milady told us all of why she could not step down from the throne. Only then did he realize that the protection he wanted he already had."

"You are almost right," Yuniko said. "Ken acted the way he did because he feared death more than anyone. He thought that the throne could protect him from being killed by the vampires, which he too late realized was not the case. No, Malin. He did not seek protection he already had. He sought protection against death itself."

"Was he a fool for real?" Kyoko burst out. "I mean, death is a part of life, that is what mother always taught us. There is nothing bad about dying, it is not even wrong to be killed. After life comes death, nothing can change that."

"Yes, you are right," Yuniko said softly.

"But then why did he forgive you?" Ryouko asked.

"You can call it an exchange, or some kind of understanding between Ken and me. I gave him one chance to completely regain my trust and protection, but he once again betrayed me. Ken knew he could possibly not be given another chance since I have always stuck to my promises, and the rest of the council would never forgive him for what he tried to do. No one would forgive him. He could simply not stay in the castle even if I did allow him to. But ever since my wedding day, he has been filled with shame and guilt."

"I can tell that, he has not said a word," Kyoko said. "All he has done is hanging with his head like a kicked puppy. He has not looked anybody in the eye."

"But you showed mercy," Ryouko said. "No he can go on living…"

"No," Malin cut off. "The vampires will probably take him."

Yuniko sighed quietly at the harsh tone of her friend, but said nothing about it. "No, Ryouko. It would have been kinder of me to execute Ken."

All three girls shivered and looked at her strangely, somewhat carefully.

"The three of you have not had a home before you came here, am I right?" the three girls nodded. "Therefore I do not expect you to understand, but the worst punishment is not death. It is to leave the place you call home. Yes, banishment means a new start, but when you start over again, you have nothing. No friends or family who can help you."

"But then why did he forgive you?" Ryouko asked, eyes wide with confusion and somewhat hurt.

"Because I forgave him," Yuniko smiled. I could not possibly take back the punishment, but I could forgive him, and Ken thanked me."

They sat in silence for a long time. Rebecca came in with snacks to them, chatted with Yuniko for a moment before she went back to her duties in the kitchen.

"Y-Yuniko?"

"Yes, Ryouko?"

The white haired girl fidgeted slightly in her chair, not meeting her half-sister's gaze.

"Do you… know the vampire who… took you back here that night?"

"He is the one who took my brother away. Why?"

Ryouko's head lowered, covering her eyes with her hair. "No, it was nothing. I am sorry to have brought it up."

Yuniko gave the younger girl a look of concern.

"Ryouko fell out of the window when she tried to shoot that vampire down," Malin explained.

"What?" Yuniko's startled outburst made the other three to jump and caused Ryouko to blush. "What happened?"

Malin explained everything that had happened when she was suddenly taken by that vampire. How she, Joey and Ryouko had rushed after her on the horses, rushed to her room to find the vampire leaning over her. And then how Ryouko had fired an arrow that made a cut in the vampire's cheek as it tried to get away.

"I-I have…" Ryouko started shyly when Malin was done talking. "Your majesty knows Key trained me in archery. So I… when we were running to save you… I found a bow and… I thought that I could… take it down."

"Ryouko. Vampires are undead. An arrow can not hurt them," Yuniko said loudly with pure concern in her sky blue eyes. "Were you hurt? How did you survive falling out of the window?"

Ryouko's blush deepened. "The vampire caught me," she mumbled.

"Did he hurt you?"

The younger shook her head no. "He… he saved me, and took me to the west tower… Obviously I missed with the arrow, because I can not remember any wound on his face. Sky was there too. I think he would protect me if the vampire had tried to hurt me."

"I see. Sky is foremost the protector of my heart," Yuniko explained. "Since you are important to me, Sky will protect you, and Unicorn too."

"Yes, thank you. But this vampire… For some reason he… Wait! He looked almost like me!"

Malin and Kyoko stared strangely at her.

"Yes, I too have noticed your resemblance to Aku…"

"Aku?"

"Oh, I remember," Kyoko suddenly realized, snapping her fingers. "The day we found your silver cross you told us about him. If I remember correctly he is the one who have caused you more pain than any of the others."

"…Yes. I suppose he has."

Malin and Yuniko's half-sisters stared at the queen. They had all believed Yuniko disliked, or even hated, the one who had caused her so much pain, but her voice told them that was not the case.

"Yuni?" Malin spoke softly.

"Do you not hate that man? Not even a little?" Kyoko asked.

Yuniko laughed amused. "Yes, I too believe it is human to hate the one who causes you pain. But I can tell you it is very hard to hate someone who loves you. May it be Aku has caused me a lot of pain, still he has always comforted me afterwards."

The memory stuck Ryouko hard. "He actually does love you," she said a little too loud, causing Kyoko and Malin to stare at her and Yuniko to laugh.

"So you talked to him that night? What did he tell you?" Yuni asked with a warm smile.

Ryouko blushed. "Not much actually. But he said that they only feed once a month, but since they are so many it may seem they feed every night."

"Oh?" the queen said, rising her eyebrows. "That is interesting… and frightening. This means there are more of them than I have believed. And since Scotland is protected, England and Wales must be the kingdoms suffering the greatest losses."

"Why only England and Wales? Why not Ireland or the countries beyond the seas."

"Most likely because they are too far away. Once they have fed they must return to their home north of us, and my barrier makes the flight longer than it should."

"Yuniko, you said no vampire could enter your barrier, did you not?" Kyoko asked.

"That is why I am concerned. The old barrier could hold back most of the vampires, except for those who possess magical powers that can resist the pressure of my barrier. Those few vampires who invaded my wedding are all high-ranked vampires with strong magical powers. People like father Scot."

They were quiet for some time, before Kyoko once again spoke up. "Vampires were once ordinary living humans? But until we arrived here magic was nothing but a tale. Mother spoke of it sometimes, but never as anything else but a story."

"Mother possessed magic, but since she lost her royal title she was forbidden to use it. As I have told you before magic is a dangerous tool that can not be taken lightly. In the worst case it can cause you your death when you overwork yourself. The royal family is the only ones who are allowed to use magic, and then only when there is no other way out."

"So those vampires who invaded the wedding were once royalty?" Kyoko asked.

Yuniko smiled. "You are very quick-witted, little Kyoko. Yes, that was my first thought too, but that was before I took a closer look at Aku and the one eyed one. I can tell none of them are royalty, and still they could enter my barrier. Before Lisa died I asked her about who possessed magic, and she explained it all to me. Royalty are the only ones allowed to use magic, but we are not alone about possessing it. Aku and the one eyed one may have realized they possessed it and used it for their own purposes, but that is only a guess. Still, magic grows stronger the more it is used."

"…Do we… possess magic?" Ryouko asked timidly.

Yuniko looked at them, her gaze searching. "I can not tell if magic is passed down with the generation. If that is true, then yes. But you are tired tonight, so I would suggest we wait until tomorrow before we try anything."

"Would you… teach us to use it?" Kyoko asked, somewhat exited.

"No," Malin answered. "Magic is no game. You are still guests here, and without a royal title you are not allowed to use magic even if you happen to possess it."

"Calm down, Malin. Yes, you are right, but then again magic is nothing you can be thought. When the need to use it arises, then you will be able to use what magic you possess. But I will forbid you to use it, even if it is for good. Now, off to bed with you. There is a day tomorrow as well."

"Yuni, why did you say you would find out if your sisters possess magic if you were going to forbid them to use it?" Malin asked as the nightgown fell over the queen's body like a wind.

"They have the right to know, even if they can not use it. And I am suspicious about little Ryouko's heritage."

"You mean you have a guess of who is her father?"

"Yes… and if I am right…" Yuniko left the sentence unfinished and looked out of the window with something unreadable in her eyes. The soft moonlight gave her a silvery glow.

"Then what?"

Yuniko snapped out of her trance. "I can not tell… yet."

Yuniko lay awake that night. Once she was sure Malin was asleep she walked up to her window and stared mutely into the dark night. The moon would be dark the day after tomorrow. Scotland was peaceful this night. From where she stood she couldn't hear any sounds. Everything seemed sleepily quiet and calm. But Yuniko could feel it, the tenseness, the storm that was about to break free. This was only the calm before the storm, and she knew she should enjoy it while it lasted, for she knew it would be the last she experienced.

Yuniko jumped when she felt one of them enter her barrier. For a second she wondered if her new barrier had weakened, but then realized that was not the case. The one entering was simply stronger than the barrier.

It took her a while, but as the vampire closed in on the castle she was able to make out Aku's familiar chill.

Yuniko walked over to Malin's bed and made sure her nurse was fast asleep before she exited her room. As long as her father had lived there had always been a guard right outside her door, but when he died it was one of the first things she changed. If the vampires decided to visit her it would only cause the guard's death, and she refused it to be like that. As it was now she silently slipped out of her room on her way towards the west tower, Guardian's tower.

"Who is that girl?"

"Of all you could have said, that is the first thing you ask me?"

Aku was halfway through the window with one foot on the floor. He looked a little caught off guard, but quickly recovered. He sat down in the open window with one long leg supporting his form. He said nothing as he tried hard to voice his thoughts.

"I take it she has filled your mind since you left her here."

She didn't mean to question him, but he took it as if she through he was falling for another girl.

"Not like that. I told you I love you, and you know better than to believe in lies."

"You misunderstand me. Before you… when you were still alive, more than 15 years ago, you went to bed with a woman. Am I right?"

Aku's pale cheeks were set on fire at the statement. He wished she had never found out that he was at least 20 years older than her and had been with someone else.

"I thought so. This woman you… was with, did she have any resemblance to me?"

Aku looked up at her, still ashamed for his life's sins. He had to confess he couldn't really remember that woman.

"She was on the run, and my sister and I helped her hide for some time. I did not mean to go to bed with her, it just happened."

"And resulted in Ryouko," Yuniko stated. A few seconds of silence, then she could almost hear the coin fall through.

"That woman bore my child."

"Gave birth to her and raised her on her own. Later she also gave birth to another child to whom she gave the name Kyoko."

Aku looked up at her, something searching in his eyes. "How can you know so much about her?" he asked slowly.

Yuniko took a deep breath. She had just gotten it proved, but it still somewhat hurt her. And yet she knew the two of them was never meant to be. "Because that woman was my mother."

Aku's eyes grew wide as plates and his mouth hung open, revealing his sharp fangs.

"16 years ago my mother, the former queen of Scotland, tried to take me away from my kingdom in order to save me from you, from the vampires, and let me live a life in peace. She failed, and was banished because of what she tried to do. Later her sister tried to commit the same crime, but she lost her life. Mother had promised to return to me, and last year she did. She came here and left her two daughters, one of them yours as well, in my care. My father found her with me, and because of that she had to either leave immediately or be killed on the spot. She left… and Crow took her life away."

Aku fought to understand all the information she had just given him and what it meant in the end. Slowly everything fell down to the same thing.

"I went to bed with your mother."

Yuniko said nothing. She only waited for him to voice what she had already figured out.

"My daughter… is your sister."

The young woman only nodded without looking at him, and he couldn't bring himself to look at her.

"My daughter…"

She looked up at him, to find a small smile grace his features, though he had hid his eyes with a hand.

"I have a daughter."

"Yes," Yuniko whispered when she realized something. "You have a child. Though you never knew about it."

Aku glanced at her, a wish clear in his eyes.

"Follow me… from outside."

Ryouko awoke by a hand gently shaking her and looked up into a pair of clear blue crystals.

"Your majesty?"

"There is someone who wish to see you again," Yuniko whispered and stood back. Ryouko looked around the room, but it was empty. She cast a questioning glance at the queen. "Open the window," her half sister whispered and moved further into the shadows.

Hesitantly the young girl walked towards the window. Once there she put her hands on the handles. She turned to Yuniko once more and saw her nod encouraging, but her eyes were shadowed, so Ryouko couldn't tell what she thought. She returned her attention to the window and opened it wide.

The night air that hit her face was chilly, and Ryouko barely had time to notice the crescent moon before a shadow stood in front of her. She opened her mouth to scream, but cold fingers rested against her lips, as light as a feather. A pair of blue eyes met the 14 year old girl's and she recognized them as the eyes of the vampire whom she had talked to the other night.

"You…"

The vampire said nothing, but gently pushed her backwards so that he could come into the room.

"You… what are you doing here?"

"To see you again," the vampire said lowly.

Ryouko's mouth hung open as she stared at the beautiful man in front of her. Her? Why would he wish to see her again? Did he not say he loved Yuniko?

"Me? Why? Her majesty…"

"…Shall I leave?" Yuniko's soft voice asked. Ryouko picked up hurt and sorrow in the voice and immediately turned to where her half-sister stood in the shadows.

"I wish for you to stay…" the vampire whispered.

The shadow that was the queen nodded her head, but never lifted her head to look at the twosome.

Ryouko was confused. Why was Yuniko hurting? And why in the world would this vampire wish to see her?

"What is your name?"

Ryouko turned her wide eyes to the vampire, who studied her carefully. "Ryouko," she answered, pronouncing it just like her mother had done.

The man smiled slightly and closed his eyes. "I see. I should have known."

The more she stared at him, the more she realized how much he looked like her. His hair fell over his shoulders in the same manner her own always did. His hands were as long and slim as her own. And that nose of his looked just like the one she saw in her own face every time she looked in a mirror. "Who are you?"

It took a few seconds before Ryouko realized the question had come from her. But the vampire only smiled, this time warmly.

"Since I died my name has been Aku. But when I was still alive, my name was Ryou."

To Ryouko it was like someone had ripped down a dark, heavy curtain and opened the window. Her eyes grew wide as plates and her mouth hung open. "You… you are my father!"

The man reached out a hand and touched his daughter's cheek. How long hadn't he dreamt and longed for a child? How crushed hadn't he been when he died, realizing his dream could never become reality? How hadn't he envied the happy families he had seen when he hunted? He felt how his broken heart healed and his deep bitterness disappeared.

Ryouko felt like she had found a piece of herself she hadn't even realized was missing. She had always believed she was satisfied having no father. But now she realized how wrong she had been. Knowing her father's name and face made her feel complete. She reached out and touched her father's face. He only smiled and let her.

Yuniko watched the two from the shadows. She did not know what would happen from now on, but right then she found she didn't really care. The hurt in her chest eased at the sight of the two of them so happy. She caught herself smiling happily.

"Tell me of yourself," Ryouko said eagerly. "Tell me everything. I wish to know everything about you."

Aku smiled, his fangs escaping his lip. "I do not think that is possible. Because there are some things about me I do not even know myself." He chuckled at the young girl's confused face. "No human being is completely aware of themselves. There are sides of them they can not see, which are only obvious to their surroundings."

"Then tell me about the you you know," Ryouko suggested.

Aku smiled sadly. "I confess I can not remember much about me as alive. I have changed, been changed, by what I am now, and the one responsible for my kind."

"The vampire lord?" Ryouko asked.

"His real name only he knows, but we call him Sanguis."

"Blood," Yuniko whispered.

Aku slowly nodded, glancing at the woman he loved. "Sanguis's whispers can drive the strongest of men over the edge of insanity. Atemu is fighting back, but he is slowly losing his mind. But since he has been a prince and has a pride that does not allow him to take orders from just anyone. I can only hope he will be fine when I am not there to support him anymore."

"But why are you not as provoked as the others?" Yuniko asked.

"Because I am aware that jealousy and hate can not give me what I want. I wished for children, and killing every child in sight would only cause the same, or worse, pain that I had suffered."

"But father…"

At Ryouko's voice Aku felt how warmth spread throughout his chest from his heart. "Yes… daughter?"

"What do you mean… that you will not be there for the prince anymore?"

A sad expression covered the vampire's face and he looked out of the open window at the sky where the moon could be seen as only a thin crescent on the sky. "Because now when I have what I have always wanted, there is no reason for me to return to the fortress. I would not have been able to reach it in time anyway, before sunrise."

"Before sunrise?"

"Like the Battle Princess once guessed, we can not face the sun. If we do… we melt. Only our lord can be out during the days since he is so much stronger than any of us. He does not suffer in the sun, he just hate it."

"But… Yuniko. You know of some place in this castle the sun can not find, right?"

Yuniko stared with wide eyes at Aku without blinking. She understood what Aku was trying to say without speaking the words out loud. It was not that he did not have time to return. He didn't want to. He had his daughter holding onto his arm, a child he had always wanted, but only been able to dream about. Aku had no more desire to keep him in the world of living.

She slowly shook her head, denying Ryouko's wish. "There is no place for him in the white castle."

"That is a lie!" Ryouko cried. "Why? I thought you loved each other."

Aku placed a hand on her shoulder. Ryouko had tears in her eyes, crying in desperation, because she wanted her father to stay. He smiled lovingly and took her in his arms, wiping away the tears. For a long time they stood like that, rocking from side to side while Yuniko stood beside them, watching the night outside. The east was already turning a softer shade of blue.

"The new day is arriving," she said softly.

Aku looked up from Ryouko's head. The young girl had almost fallen asleep in his arms. But when his eyes fell on the other woman his eyes widened. In front of him stood the queen of Scotland, the Battle Princess, and the only human Sanguis feared. All of his people feared this woman, the same he loved so dearly. But they all had a reason to fear her.

Yuniko's eyes held so much determination. She was strong and safe, a cliff many people depended on. She held the fate of the world in her hand, and without fear she would defend the living people of the earth. And still, though all these other things she was to others, she was just a human.

"We must fail," he whispered. "Because you must victory."

Yuniko faced him, her eyes knowing what would happen to her.

The day was quickly arriving and Aku felt how the sky opened up to him. He was finally allowed the rest meant for the dead.

Yuniko saw how Aku's image started to fade in the edges. He stood with the sleeping Ryouko in his arms and placed his daughter on her bed. Looking at her face he smiled and lovingly kissed her forehead.

"You will take care of her for me, right?" he whispered without looking away from Ryouko's face.

"As long as I live."

The statement made something very clear for both of them; Yuniko did not have very long to live.

"I wish I could stay here with her… and you. But a wish can not change the chain of events that we call history…"

He walked up to Yuniko who still stood by the window. He took her in his arms and found her lips with his own. She found him warm, like he was alive again. And she cherished this her last moment with him.

Aku put all his love and gratefulness in this last kiss he would ever share with her. He stayed like that until the sun finally hit them both. He let her go, and when he stepped out of the window Yuniko could no longer see him, though she knew he was still there.

"And nothing can change," she whispered.