Aria sat huddled on the carpet reading her latest book. She admitted quite readily that she was a romantic as a large portion of her books encompassed tales of battle, forbidden romances, and outrageous plots, but she loved every one of them that she absorbed. Perhaps the reason she loved these stories was because she found her life so tedious and lacking in the area of adventure and mayhem. She enjoyed reading of others journeys through the dangerous and mysterious, always in search of something. However, nothing could be as heartbreaking or enthralling as the story that her father had told her as she grew older. The tale of the warrior who had found his love only to lose her in the end was one that she wished to hear over and over again, even when she was falling asleep in his arms. If he ended without completing it, she would instantly be awake again demanding that he finish.

Those were in the days when she was still small enough to sit in his lap and cuddle up close, taking comfort in the warmth of his chest and strong arms. Now etiquette and age had set new boundaries and she was no longer able to approach him as a little girl. It was an awkwardness that many children of vampire descent had to deal with quickly and it was quite painful for some, especially Aria. To distance herself from her father's arms and that of her mother's was something that had to be done quickly and efficiently. Children were weaned from their parents too abruptly for Aria's tastes. Sighing, she set aside the book she had been reading and found herself to be too distracted to truly enjoy the tale of the man who sought that which he could not have. There were things that she herself could not have and it grated on her that she was not able to dictate what made her happy.

A quick knock and the door opening announced her father and she looked up to find that he popped in his head as he had always done, making sure that everything was in place before entering.

"Papa!" she said happily before standing from her seated position, dusting off any imaginary specks of dust before facing him.

"I wanted to come and wish you good day before you took to bed." Aria looked at him incredulously, after a sudden flashback of the overheard conversation of his with her grandfather. She looked somewhat incredulous and it showed in her expression as well. It showed as well for Hanabusa shifted nervously in the doorway.

"I overheard that grandfather wishes for me to have my coming of age next year, is this true?" she said truthfully, not one for beating around the bush. After a moment of hesitation, her father nodded. She knew that he was wrapped around her pinkie and she tried very hard to respect this, but perhaps she could use it to her advantage just this once.

"Papa, I am really not interested in all of that. Who cares what society thinks? I don't feel it's necessary for me to go through all of that flare in order to gain their approval." A smirk spread across his face.

"You sound like someone I know." He shook his head to clear it. "It is something that I think is best for you. Don't you wish to be able to attend all of the functions that your mother and I go to?" he said hopefully, though he did not admit that he loathed attending those said functions. His daughter's response was instant.

"No, they look boring and you always look as though you are about to fall over and die the moment you return home. They can't be that exciting." Hanabusa snorted and covered it with a cough.

"What do you have against your coming of age?"

"Because you and grandfather wish me to forget Zero! I don't know why you are so determined about this!" She stomped her foot in irritation. Hanabusa waved for her to calm down and rubbed his forehead, as if staving off a headache.

"All vampires have a coming of age celebration. I had one when I was your age as well."

"What difference does it make though really?" She got him there. Really in his mind he found it as pointless as she, but he knew that as part of his agreement with his father, that it would be a time in which he would inform her of who her true mother was, hopefully without crushing the poor thing.

"Aria, sweetie…"

"Papa, please. I am not interested in such things…"

"Then do it for me." She looked at him and blinked in astonishment. Seeing he had shaken her, he trudged on. "This is very important to me… and your grandfather, so please, at least think about it." Seeing he had won the fight, Aria scowled and nearly cursed aloud under her breath. After much griping and hesitation, Aria silently agreed and Hanabusa grinned at her, knowing that he rarely used the guilt card as a parent, but when it worked, it was spectacular.

"Ah! Thank you!" He wrapped his arms around his little girl, who was not so little anymore and spun her around. She shrieked as she did when she was a child, demanding to be let down lest she be sick. With a yelp, Hanabusa was out the door and shutting it after him. Sighing, Aria stared at the closed door before admitting that truly her father was nothing more than a child at times. Seeing as she had been distracted, she turned once again to her book and discovered a need to open it up and read further.

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Aria grew restless as the months passed and with every day that went by, she became more anxious about the upcoming celebration that her grandfather planned constantly. The guest list was to be long and formidable, the decorations were to be unrivaled by any other, the food was to be spectacular and from all over the world, but yet Aria felt nothing of the excitement that seemed to grow within everyone else. Upon looking at the guest list she noticed that the Kurans had been invited, but she sensed from further inquiry that they would not be attending. She personally had not heard from them except through an occasional conversation between her father and others. They were safe, that was all that mattered. In terms of location and their situation, she was completely left in the dark.

In some moments, she was tempted to forget about Zero and knew that it would make her life much easier, but in the end, there was nothing she could do. To forget Zero was as impossible for her as cutting off her arm and pretending nothing was wrong. The fact that others expected this of her only made her irritation grow. She spent more and more time in her room reading books. Others had to be called for as she had consumed everything around her. She had now started in on philosophy, science, politics, and current events, but none of it seemed enough to distract her from her own pitiful situation. One of the biggest events of her life and she could was not so much as interested in anything beyond the guest list.

Wandering into the library to find another book she had not yet touched Aria, found the sudden urge to duck down behind one of the bookcases as she heard the doors open. It was her father who entered as a messenger followed.

"Kaname-sama sent a message saying that he is now within the area and will keep you informed of his situation within the next few months." Hanabusa was obviously pleased with this news and pushed for more information.

"Will he be returning then to his estate?" The messenger shook his head.

"I have no other news. His whereabouts I am not aware of, but the message was clear that he is now close by. My best guess is that he has returned to one of the nearby villages." Her father nodded approvingly. Aria felt her heart pick up speed as she peeked out to get a better look.

"And his family? Are they well?"

"It would seem that they are with him and doing fine." Her father absorbed this and then responded.

"Very well, then please send a message that all is well here. We are making preparations for Aria's coming of age and also to make arrangements to tell her what he had instructed." Aria felt her ears prick up. This was new. "Also, inform Kaname-sama to tell Yuki that Yori is still the same, but not any worse." Why was that woman important even to the Kurans?

"Thank you, Lord Aidou."

"Please don't call me that, it makes me sound like my father."

"Yes, sire." It was only a little better, but it would have to do. After the messenger left Hanabusa prepared to follow, but glanced down and noticed a book resting on one of the shelves, out of place from the others. Simply out of lack of better things to do, he wandered over to the bookshelf that housed his daughter. She crouched down low and remained as still as possible. Slowly, he reached for the book and glanced at the title. A smirk spread across his face.

"The History of the Universe," he read aloud. "Is this what she is reading now?" Gently, he placed the book back in between the others before turning and departing as well. Aria let out a sigh of relief as the door shut quietly after him.

What had all of that meant? What else was there to tell her? Why was her father updating the Kurans on Yori's status? More importantly, were the Kurans nearby or close enough to find? These questions plagued Aria for the rest of the evening.

Knowing she could not get the answers she sought at home, she made quiet arrangements of her own to find those who could.

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On the day that she decided to leave the estate to seek out the Kurans, Aria made a stop over to see Yori. She had remained unchanged except now her arm rested far to the side. Without a thought, Aria gently placed it once again at Yori's side and then took the hand into her own.

"Ms. Yori, I have so many questions to ask, but no one here will answer them. You would tell me, but you are unable, right?" There was yet again no response. "I'll find my own answers then. I hear that the Kurans are nearby and I will find Kaname-sama and ask him myself. I cannot wait any longer. I hope to return soon." Seeing as there was little else for her to say, Aria stood up and hesitantly placed a warm kiss on Yori's cold forehead. Without a word, she took her leave, leaving the door slightly ajar. Once again, she did not see the fingers move desperately to reach out for her.

It was long after sunrise and much of the household was asleep. It would be the perfect opportunity to slip out. It was not unusual for the young mistress to slip out in the middle of the day for a walk, so no one would be immediately alarmed at her absence. Banking on this, Aria took off for the nearest village, hoping her hunch was correct.

She was barely off the premises when a deep voice stopped her. Turning around she was stunned to find that the large, burly stable hand stood leaning against a wall. His head was shining brightly in the sunlight as his eyes took her in with amusement.

"Vaugt! You scared me, what are you doing here?" The other unfolded his arms and smiled gaily at her.

"I could ask the same thing of you, Miss Aria. A tyke like you shouldn't be out at this time, does your father know that you've gone and left the estate?"

"Of course not and I see that you've been following me again."

"What do you expect as I stood by your father in battle I should also look after what is important to him as well."

"You can go back, I won't be gone very long," she said hopefully. Vaugt rubbed his head, as though it might be a lucky charm, but cleared his throat simultaneously indicating that he had no such intentions. Seeing as she was not going to win this one, she gave him a cautious look.

"Fine, but please don't tell Papa about this." The big man held his hands up defensively with a good natured smile.

"Cross my heart."

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Yori felt as though she had been swimming in water and only intermittently did she hear others voices. Those of her daughter and Hanabusa were the only ones that seemed to come to her clearly through the haze that surrounded her. She felt the growing desperation of Aria and she was not all that surprised when the girl had made the announcement to seek out the answers she sought. What on earth was Hanabusa thinking, allowing this to go on for so long? Of course the girl would have questions and of course, given that she was Hanabusa's and her daughter, she would demand answers. Honestly, men couldn't do anything right.

When Aria announced that she would be leaving the estate, it brought a panic to Yori and she tried harder than ever before to reach out to the girl before it was too late. Out there, she would surely be in danger, she had been raised in such a sheltered life. By the time she managed to operate her arm to grab hold of the girl, she had already left.

Using this as a lifeline, Yori grabbed hold and began to try to operate other parts of her body, slowly. It took most of the day. Sunset had already begun by the time she had managed to open her eyes. Everything was in a blur around her and her body screamed in protest at the sudden movement, one that had not operated in so many years.

After opening her eyes, she experimented further with moving her entire body. It was draining and there was a sharp pain in her chest, but she was concentrating so hard on her goal that she paid no mind. The feeling of the cold floor under her feet was shocking to her raw nerves. Gritting her teeth against everything else other than moving, she pushed herself in a sudden burst of energy into a standing position only to find herself staring up at the ceiling. Seeing as she was not going to walk gracefully from this room, she began to drag herself across the floor, a thin film of sweat now breaking out from skin that had not moved in several years. Finally reaching the door, she grabbed hold of the doorframe and pulled herself up with all of her might to barely stand.

It was only in this moment that a servant arrived to check on her as was customary in the early evening hours. She carried with her several supplies to wash down Yori's body and they all fell with a clatter to the floor. Before the servant could do anything Yori tried to work her vocal chords for the first time.

"Aria has run away," she managed in a hoarse whisper before collapsing forward. A slow pool of blood began to seep through the white nightgown over her chest. Once again, she was sent into oblivion.