~ Yuki's Dream ~
Yuki was dreaming about her past, a memory of when she was younger.
When Yuki was younger, she was very weak and had been told that she contracted an illness, so she was admitted into a hospital.
It's only been a few weeks since Yuki was admitted into the hospital and she had a roommate. A young boy who's a year older than her.
At first the two wouldn't try to have a conversation and the room would always be very quiet. Sometimes Yuki's older sister, Yui would visit and talk to Yuki, then leave after visiting hours were over, returning back to the quiet hospital room.
A year had past and the two still didn't talk, until one afternoon.
The boy had gotten out of his hospital bed and walked over to Yuki, who was reading a book. He pulled a chair and sat down next to her bed. Yuki was too absorbed in the book she was reading that she didn't even notice him. Eventually, the boy decided to divert Yuki's attention from the book to him.
"Um..." The boy spoke as Yuki looked up from her book, looking at the boy. "Yuki, right?"
Yuki nodded in response.
"I'm Shiki Kuroki. You can call me Shiki, if you'd like." Shiki said as Yuki nodded again. "Um, what are you reading...?"
Yuki held the book up, showing him the cover.
"'Alice in Wonderland'?" He read as Young Yuki placed the book back on her lap, nodding again. "Do you... Talk...?" Shiki asked bluntly.
Yuki was about to nod again, but stopped herself.
"... I can..." Yuki responded as he nodded.
"How old are you?"
"... Seven..."
"I'm a year older than you." Shiki smiled. "Is that your favorite book?"
"Mhmm... I like the story..." Yuki said as she closed the book. "... Have you read this story before...?"
"I haven't, but I'd like to hear about it. Do you want to tell me about it?" Shiki said as Yuki smiled and nodded.
Yuki told Shiki about Alice's adventures through Wonderland. How she met the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat, the Duchess, the Queen of Hearts, the Knave of Hearts, the Time, the Dormouse, the Lizard, the Caterpillar, and the Dodo. Also telling him about how Alice was asked to stay, but refused and returned back to her own world.
After explaining the story, Shiki then asked Yuki a question.
"Who's your favorite character from the story?" Shiki asked after Yuki's summary of the story.
"... Alice..." Yuki replied.
"Hmm... If you were the character Alice, then who would I be?"
Yuki looked at Shiki, then back at her book.
"Um... The White Rabbit, I think..."
~ Yuki's Dream End ~
* In the Sakamaki Manor. In Yuki's Room. *
Yuki slowly opened her eyes, instantly recognizing that she was in her bedroom.
I'm in my room...? Yuki thought as she sat up, her hand on her forehead.
"Finally you wake up, Candy." Ayato said, sitting on her desk chair, twirling a black rose in his hand.
"Ayato..." Yuki said.
"Where'd you get this?" He asked. "It's not from the gardens."
"Someone gave me it... But, if you're asking who, I don't know." Yuki answered as she slid out of bed.
"Hm..."
Ayato then placed the black rose back to where he found it while getting off the chair, then walked towards Yuki.
"Ayato?" Yuki called as she slowly backed up towards her bed. "What are you-"
Yuki then fell on her bed and Ayato got on top of her.
"Please get off." Yuki said, struggling under him.
Ayato smirked, his eyes glowing.
"Be quiet." Ayato muttered as he leaned towards Yuki's neck.
Yuki placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to push him away, but it was useless, he was stronger than she was.
Ayato then pierced his fangs into her neck, drinking.
"Aya... To..." Yuki gasped as her hands gripped his jacket tightly. "It... Hurts..."
Ayato removed his fangs from her neck, licking the excess blood with his cold tongue. Then he moved down her neck as he slid her cardigan off her shoulder, then plunged his fangs into it.
Tears started to form in Yuki's eyes as Ayato drank.
"Please... Stop... Ayato..." Yuki pleaded as a tear slipped out.
Then something in Ayato made him recall a memory... A memory of when he had bitten a friend of his, when he was younger. His friend was a girl and had the same colored hair as Yuki, blonde; but Ayato couldn't remember what color her eyes were or her name. When he bit her and wouldn't stop, she pleaded him to stop the same way Yuki did.
Ayato then pushed the memory away and removed his fangs from Yuki's shoulder and got off of her.
"... I lost interest... I'm so tired." Ayato said and left the room, disappearing as usual.
Yuki struggled to sit up, but after sitting up on her bed, she slid her cardigan back on her shoulder and sat up.
"... He drank way too much..." Yuki mumbled as she looked at the clock on her drawer. "... It's this late... Better quickly take a bath then sleep."
Yuki gathered her things and left the room.
~ The Next Night ~
* Outside the Sakamaki Manor. On the Second Floor Balcony. *
Kanato was sitting on the ledge of the balcony with Teddy on his lap. He started to sing 'Scarborough Fair' while looking up at the night sky.
"Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme." Kanato sang. "Remember me, to one who lives..."
Kanato stopped singing once he heard the door open.
"That was you, Kanato?" Yui asked as Kanato turned his head to look at her.
"Oh, Yui..." Kanato called.
He then looked back up at the night sky.
"Isn't it a nice night?" Kanato asked.
Yui walked closer to him.
"Why are you sitting there?" Yui asked. "That's dangerous."
Kanato started to swing his legs back-and-forth.
"I'll be fine." Kanato said calmly.
"Come on, it's really dangerous." Yui insisted.
Kanato looked at Yui and grinned at her expression.
"You wear an expression of anxiety mingled with fear. It's very cute." He then looked down. "I actually hate it when you make that face. It makes me worry why you're so afraid of me."
"I... I'm not right now." Yui said, trying to convince herself rather than Kanato. "I'm only afraid that you're going to fall."
"You really don't have a clue... How conceited that makes you." Kanato laughed and he looked at Yui with a grin. "You're so incredibly foolish. It's so cute, it makes me laugh."
"Is it so wrong to worry?" Yui asked.
"I don't need your worry. But... Do you want me to get down here that badly?"
"Yes..."
"Okay," Kanato says as he looks at Yui and adds, "then give me a kiss."
Yui's eyes widened from the sudden request.
"If you give me a kiss, I will be happy to get down. If you can't do that, then leave me alone and get lost. Okay?"
Yui looks at him then down, deciding whether she should or not. Then, Kanato starts to laugh and Yui looks up at him in confusion.
"Wh.. What is it?" Yui asked.
"You took me seriously." Kanato said as he stopped laughing. "You really are hopelessly stupid. I'll get down now."
Yui smiles in relief as she watches Kanato.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Kanato stands up on the ledge, staring down at the bottom.
"Ka... Kanato?" Yui calls with worry.
Kanato turns around.
"Well, so long." Kanato says and he fell off the ledge.
After Kanato disappeared from Yui's sights, she then hears the sound of his body hitting the ground. Her eyes widen as she turns around, sprinting towards where Kanato's body is.
* Outside. Where Kanato is. *
After Yui saw Kanato on the ground, she started to call his name.
"Kanato, are you all right!?" Yui shouted, but Kanato didn't respond. "Kanato! KANATO!"
Suddenly, Kanato's eyes opened.
"You're annoying." Kanato said sharply, making Yui gasp in shock. "Did you believe a tiny fall from the second floor would actually harm me?"
He sat up slowly.
"But you..." Yui began.
"I only wish I could die so easily." Kanato said.
Yui looked at Kanato with sad eyes.
"Do you want to die?"
Kanato stood up.
"Maybe, but not right now." He replied as Yui stared at him quietly. "Anyway, there is a place I am fond of. I would like to take you to see it today."
* Inside. In a Room with Life-Like Figurines. *
Kanato lead Yui into a large room filled with figurines in wedding dresses.
"What are these?" Yui asked with uneasiness.
"As you can see, they are wax figures." Kanato said as he entered the room, Yui following close behind him.
"I've never seen one before."
"Even Teddy perks up when we come here. Isn't that right, Teddy?"
As the two - or three, counting Teddy - walked deeper into the large room with dolls put on either side of the walk-way, Yui looked at each of figurine's faces.
"You don't look like you're enjoying it much." Kanato noted.
"Wax figures are kind of eerie." Yui stated. "I just wish they were as cute as Teddy."
They finally reached the end of the room.
"I do realize that Teddy is the cutest of them all." Kanato said as he stopped walking, Yui walked past him. "But in terms of soullessness, Teddy is just like them."
"Soullessness?" Yui repeated.
"You would be so beautiful as a silent corpse."
Yui turns around to look at Kanato; her pink eyes staring into wide light purple eyes.
"Say, would you like to become a figure right here and now?" Kanato asked.
"Ka... Kanato!?" Yui called with dread.
Kanato grinned as he turns her to face him.
"I would keep you displayed so carefully."
"Wh... What are you talking about?"
"And it would make Teddy so happy to have a new friend. It would be a win-win situation for you!" Kanato explained as he put a hand on her shoulder, gripping tightly. "What do you say?"
"I don't want to become one of your sick figures!" Yui replied as she slapped Kanato's arm away.
Yui then tries to run away, but failed to when Kanato grabs her arm and pushes her in to the wall. He leans his face close to her.
"Why are you so frightened?" Kanato asked. "However that is an excellent expression."
He then leaned towards her neck and licks it, making Yui flinch from his cold tongue.
"I love the look on your face. It's wonderful." He said. "I wonder why faces twisted in fear excite me so much?"
Kanato continued to lick Yui's neck. Yui shut her eyes.
"It hurts!" Yui whimpered. "No, Kanato, please don't!"
Kanato stopped licking and faced Yui - who opened her eyes.
"I will sew that noisy mouth of yours with neat, tidy stitches." He explained as Yui's eyes widened in fear. "And I will give you glass balls for eyes. What color would you like? Drained of blood, your transparent skin will probably become smooth and white like ceramic."
Kanato then slid his hand under Yui's school uniform, making it slid down her shoulder and exposing her skin. He pierced her shoulder and started to drink her blood. He then stops.
"I will drink every drop of your blood, so please don't worry." Kanato said.
Yui tried to push Kanato away, but he wouldn't budge.
"You will be lovelier than the prettiest bride." He added.
Yui looked past Kanato, looking at the wax figures placed around the room.
"Are... Are these wax figures actually..." Yui spoke.
"That's right." Kanato replied, answering Yui before she could finish. "They are the sacrificial brides."
Yui's eyes widened as she was informed of the wax figure's real identities. Kanato leaned closer; Yui could feel his breath against her lips.
"I will make you feel more comfortable soon." Kanato assured as he began to strangle Yui.
"Y... You're strangling me." Yui choked out.
Kanato giggles as Yui starts to slowly lose conscious, but stops when he hears his brother's voice.
"Kanato!"
It was Ayato.
"Reiji wants to see you." Ayato said.
"Aw, what a pain." Kanato muttered as he released Yui's neck and walks out of the room.
Yui coughs as she slowly inhaled oxygen into her body.
"Ayato," Yui said. "Thank you..."
"Don't get the wrong idea." Ayato said as he reached for Yui, leaning towards her neck to drink, but stops. "It's not sweet... I'm not into it today. I'm too tired." He mutters as he leaves the room as well.
Yui stares at Ayato's back in surprise.
* In the Hallways. *
Yuki was wandering around the mansion from boredom and spotted Subaru.
"Subaru." Yuki called as she walks towards him.
"You and your sister will definitely die if you stay here." Subaru warned.
Yuki smiled sadly, stopping in front of Subaru.
"But what choice do I have...?" She asked him.
"Go now." Subaru said.
Yuki looked up at Subaru with a confused expression.
"Now's your chance." He added as he looked out the large windows beside them.
Yuki followed Subaru's gaze to see what he was looking at. He was looking at the moon which was in the waning crescent phase, close to becoming a new moon.
Yuki then nods as she heads back to her room.
* In Yuki's Room. *
Yuki ponders whether she should leave or not. Half of her wants to know who the little girl is and about her father. The other half screams at her to hurry and take the chance of escaping. Yuki sighs out of frustration and came to a decision. She blames herself for being curious and leaves her room to find Subaru.
* In a Room. *
After a while, Yuki managed to find Subaru in a room while leaning on a window ledge. He was looking out the window.
"Subaru." Yuki called as she walked towards him.
"You're still here?" Subaru asked, not turning his attention towards her. "You wasted a rare opportunity." He scolded.
"When you were little, did you ever had a friend with blonde hair? A girl, perhaps...?" Yuki asked.
"A girl with blonde hair?"
"Yeah..."
"I don't think I did..." Subaru responded. "Why ask?"
"If you don't remember, then I don't think this information is important to you." Yuki replied with a smile.
Subaru clicked his tongue.
"Next! If you know anything about me, my sister or my father, please tell me." Yuki asked.
"I know nothing." Subaru answered as he closed his eyes, and Yuki sighed as she looked down with a sad expression.
Subaru opened his eyes and looked at Yuki.
Suddenly, he sees her mother making the same expression and he gets off the window ledge, standing in front of Yuki. He pulls out a silver knife and holds it out in front of Yuki. She looked up at him in confusion to why he was presenting her a silver knife.
Subaru then grabs her hand and places the silver knife on it.
"That silver knife can be used to kill vampires like us with a stab to the heart." Subaru explained.
"But why?" Yuki asks as she stares at the silver weapon. "Subaru?"
Subaru doesn't answer and leaves the room. As he leaves, he recalls a memory of when his mother gave him the silver knife. His mother tells a young Subaru to take the silver knife with him and keep it on him at all times. Then starts to tell him that he needs to commit murder.
Who do you want me to kill? Hey, who are you talking to? Who are you reaching out to!? Who is it that you see? Subaru asks.
His mother then starts saying different things like "Please for me?" and "Let me go, please let me go" and that if he becomes uncertain that he should just plunge the knife into the heart and calls him a gentle boy.
Sure, I'll commit murder for you. That's what you want isn't it? I will grant your wish. Subaru says.
After Subaru left Yuki alone, she decided to go find her sister who was walking through the halls slowly.
* In the Hallways. *
"Yui!?" Yuki called as she runs over to her sister.
"Yuki..." Yui called back weakly.
"Are you all right?"
"Just a bit light-headed..."
Yui smiles at Yuki weakly, trying to reassure her sister that she's all right.
"Yuki, what's that in your hand?" Yui asked as she points at the silver knife.
"Oh, this? Subaru gave it to me. He says that it can kill vampires." Yuki explained. "Here."
Yuki presents the silver knife to Yui.
"Eh? Why are you giving it to me...?" Yui asked.
Yuki grabbed Yui's hand and placed the silver weapon on it.
"Keep it. I think my big sister is weak against the vampires who are sucking her blood." Yuki teased with a smile. "Your little sister is able to handle herself even if she doesn't have a weapon that can kill them."
"Yuki... But-"
"No, buts. I'll be fine. You keep it, besides... If I ever need to use it, I'll ask you for it." Yuki said as she turned around, walking away towards her room. "See you later, Yui!" She waved at her older sister - who waved back.
Yui then walked slowly to her room.
* In Yui's Room. *
Yui opened the door and entered the room while closing the door behind. She sees Laito on her bed.
"Little Bitch, you kept me waiting." Laito said.
"Laito..." Yui called as Laito sat up.
"What is it? Why the face?" He asks.
Laito then gets up from the bed and stands in front of Yui.
"Get out." Yui said.
"Are you serious when you say that, Little Bitch?" He asks with a grin.
Laito looks at Yui's hands and sees the silver knife.
"Hey, that's Subaru's knife." He pointed out as he grabs Yui's hands and points the knife at his heart.
"What..."
"What an honor! I never knew how much you loved me. To a vampire, murder is the ultimate way to confess your love. You wield the finality that can end the life of an immortal." Laito explained as he trailed off.
"Lai... Laito?" Yui called.
"Do you know how it feels to love someone so much you hate them?" Laito asks as he pushes Yui into the door. "When all is said and done, you and I are very much alike."
Yui starts to try to push him off as she notices what he was going to do.
"Your hot blood speaks to me with its incredibly delicious aroma."
"Laito, let me go."
Laito leans closer to Yui's ear.
"It knows that you want me." Laito whispered.
"How can you say that? Please let me go!" Yui exclaims.
"Say it. Scream that you want me." He says, his voice lower than it was.
Laito's voice then returns back to its flirty-tone.
"There is no God. There is no real need to obey the rules. Is it so important to live, suppressing one's desires?" Laito says.
"I don't know why it's important." Yui admits.
Laito grins as if he had won and leans towards Yui's neck, opening his mouth to bite, but stops when Yui's speaks again.
"But I will still believe. No matter how painful life becomes, I will still believe. Man is weak, so I must believe." Yui said confidently.
Laito moves his face away from Yui's neck and looks at her with wide eyes, surprise could be seen within his green-colored eyes. He then smiles and starts to laugh.
"I've never met a girl like you, Little Bitch. I was only interested in your blood, but now... I've changed my mind." Laito said.
* In an Unknown Room. *
A black, bloodstained dress is clothed on a mannequin. The roses on the right, top chest are covered in blood, and it's dripping with blood which falls into a puddle of blood on the floor.