Me: One of my faster updates. There is a simple word to be my reason: Friday. Enough said.

Toko: Newt-kun! When are Tskumo and I coming back to the story? I miss Yuki-kun and Rin-kun! I feel so bad for them, they had to deal with Hotsuma and his language...

Hotsuma: Hey! I take offense to that!

Toko: I don't care Hotsuma~!

Me: *Pushes between them* Would you two cut it out already!

Tsukumo: Alright, I guess I'm doing the disclaimer today. NewtB00 doesn't own us or the anime/manga, only Rin-kun. So review and don't sue, please.

Me: Perfect! Now, come Sodom! I must make sure that damn doctor did not steal my soda!

Sodom: Meeewwww~

Chapter 7: The Twilight Mansion

Yuki and I looked out the car window at the tall buildings of Tokyo. The sun was low in the sky, leaving shadows. I let out a small yawn as I leaned against Yuki.

He placed an arm around me as we drove through a forested area," It's pretty quiet around here, isn't it? I thought Shinjuku would be lively, wherever you went."

"It's because we're on Giou Clan property", the driver explained in a deep voice.

Luka added," There's a barrier up too."

"A barrier? You mean that thing", Yuki asked as we drove under a tunnel.

"Ordinary humans cannot enter here. It isn't even marked on the maps."

I shifted," So, this place doesn't officially exist to the real world?"

Luka nodded as he looked over at us. I blew my bangs out of my eyes softly, but they ended up falling right back where they were. Groaning, I brought my hand up to move them out of the way.

"The Twilight Mansion is at the end of this tunnel", the driver announced.

We entered the final tunnel and left just as quickly. My jaw dropped as I looked at the mansion. It actually looked more like a royal castle to me. It was a pure white color with brown roofing. The grass was a nice shade of green, giving the place a healthy look.

I looked up at Yuki with a smile before looking back at the mansion. It was as magnificent as Toko-chan said.

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

Standing in front of the giant doors to the mansion with our bags, I fidgeted with Luka's necklace around my neck. Yuki moved forward first; I followed quickly behind.

He opened the door to the main room. It had checker board style tile for floors, with a red carpet where dark colored couches sat. On the far side of the room was a giant staircase that led to the upper floors.

"Excuse me", Yuki called.

"I've been awaiting your arrival", announced a female voice. I stopped walking behind Yuki to look for the speaker. She was standing in front of the stair case. Her long black hair rained down her shoulders; her body covered in a pink kimono.

"Nice to meet you", she spoke again. "I look after everyone in this mansion. I am Kureha Aya. Please call me Aya, Yuki-sama."

I looked behind me when someone stopped walking. Luka looked down at me with a glance before looking back at Yuki.

"Huh? Y-you don't have to call me Yuki-sama", he said as he walked closer to Aya. "There's no need for formalities."

"But…"

"Didn't you hear him", Luka questioned as he walked towards them. "There's no need for formality."

"Yes…Very well…Yuki-san."

"Hia", Yuki said.

I walked around Luka to peer around Yuki. It was another moment where I was shyly wondering if I should say anything.

"Yuki-chan", Toko-chan called as she hurried down the stairs.

"Toko-chan!"

"I was waiting for you!" She went for a hug but Yuki stepped back and bumped into me," What's wrong?

"I still don't know how to use my powers properly. You shouldn't touch me."

"It's not your fault, Yuki-chan. People's emotions simply flow into you. It's more accurate to say that you're the one who's exposed. Now, let's try that again!"

Before Yuki could voice a protest, Toko-chan hugged him. His bag fell to the floor as he was forced to let go.

"Everything will be all right…"

"Toko-chan…"

"Welcome back, Yuki-chan."

"We're home."

Toko-chan smiled, but then caught Luka's glare," Got a problem with this? We're relatives. Right, Yuki-chan?"

"Y-yeah."

"Yuki", Tsukumo greeted.

Determined to not be left out again, I ran around Yuki towards Tsukumo," Tsukumo-kun!"

He smiled and knelt down for a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck happily. The male let out a laugh as he gave me a gentle squeeze in return.

"Hey, Rin-kun. Welcome home."

I pulled away and gave him a smile," Glad to be home!"

Tsukumo returned the smile before standing to give Yuki a hug as well. Toko-chan clapped with a smile of her own. I went over to her and tugged on her hand with a pout.

"Don't I get a hug too, Toko-chan?"

"Oh! Rin-kun, welcome home", she cooed as she hugged me.

I smiled, but let out a yelp in surprise and slight pain when she picked me up. She smiled at me happier. Lifting her hand away from her back, she showed me that she had Choji.

"Choji! Thank you, Toko-chan."

"I found him in the car and figured you forgot him by accident", she said as I cuddled him to my chest.

"Milady", someone yelled out.

I turned my head to see a guy in a white trench coat and big hat racing down the stairs towards Yuki. Luka grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the way. Instead of hugging Yuki, the man ended up hugging air.

"Huh", he muttered in confusion.

I pressed a hand to my mouth to quiet my giggling. I couldn't help it, the guy was a goof.

"Zess-kun…I mean, Luka-kun! Do you intend to keep her to yourself", he cried dramatically.

Luka looked away with a snort, which Yuki glanced at him questioningly. I started giggling harder in Toko-chan's arms.

"It's nice to meet you, milday. I mean, Yuki-kun", the man stated. "Welcome to the Twilight Mansion. I am Giou Tachibana, the manager. Just think of me as your resident advisor. You can talk to me about anything."

"Sure. Nice to meet you", Yuki said talking Tachibana's hand to shake.

But, he pulled Yuki closer to him so he could speak," By the way, those troubles specific to young men are also welcome-"

Toko-chan handed me off to Tsukumo before slamming her elbow down on the man's head. He fell to the floor in pain while twitching. I stared at Toko-chan in surprise. She was stronger and tougher than she looked.

"Let's show you and Rin-kun around, Yuki-chan."

"Sure."

"Luka-kun, why not have a doctor look at that wound, and that cute little girl too", the man suggested from his place on the floor.

My eyes widened as I looked at Luka. I had forgotten he had gotten hurt on the school roof.

"That won't be necessary. It's nothing."

"Will you let Yuki-kun heal it?"

Yuki turned to the raven," If you don't mind."

Staring back at Yuki for a moment, he headed for a doorway," Let's go."

I frowned and looked at Tsukumo," Luka's stubborn."

"You have no idea", he muttered. I giggled again as we followed him.

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"Doctor! Doctor", Tachibana yelled as he knocked on a creepy door. It had big yellow eyes painted on with signs of warning saying 'danger'.

"Doctor, we're coming in!" He opened the door," Doctor! Huh?"

I peered around Yuki's legs, the place was a mess. Papers were all over the place. Books lay scattered on the floor in piles and on the deck.

"Hey! Doctor! Are you here?" Tachibana took the lid of the metal trash can in the room," Doctor?"

We followed him in as we looked. I went over to a particularly large pile of stuff. It all looked to be resource information about Duras. I trembled at the thought of other Duras, but kept looking in mild interest.

"Dr. Isuzu", Toko-chan called. "Where did he go?"

Something shifted in the pile. Kneeling down, I poked at papers and pushed at a few books. Yuki walked up behind me to look as well.

I pushed a particularly large book and it fell to the floor. The light caught the spot where it had been and two rectangular objects glowed. I let out a high pitched yell as I fell backwards into Yuki, who also yelled out in surprise.

"Yuki! Rin", Luka called out as he entered the door way.

I stared in surprise as someone stood up from the pile of stuff. He swayed on his feet while moaning. A book was on his head of unruly, long black hair. He looked like he needed a shave and coffee.

"N-nice to meet you", Yuki said politely.

Yuki gave me a hand up to my feet, and I ran over to Luka. Hiding behind his legs, I peered at the strange man. Luka set a hand on my head comfortingly.

"Who are you", he asked Yuki, still swaying in place.

"It's Yuki-kun, doctor", supplied Tachibana.

"Yuki?"

"Yuki-kun! You know, the one I told you about, the other day."

"As the Giou Clan's private physician, he researches Duras", Toko-chan told Yuki.

"Duras, huh."

"Immersed in my research, I seem to have forgotten", the doctor stated in an uncaring voice.

"That's charming, but one day, it'll kill you", Tachibana said cheerfully.

I frowned and said only so Luka could hear," I don't think I would want that guy looking at me when I'm injured. He can't even take care of himself."

Luka hummed in agreement.

"Well, what do you want", the doctor asked.

"I was hoping, you'd take a look at Luka-kun and the girl's injuries."

Luka tensed up as the doctor questioned the name," Luka?"

"You know, Zess-kun."

"Zess", he asked as he turned his head to look. I pressed myself tighter against Luka. "Zess…"

Suddenly, the doctor got all excited," Finally changed your mind, have you?"

He swept all the junk on the desk off with his arm before patting the spot," Zess or Luka, whatever your name is… Take off your clothes! Show me everything! Let me examine every inch of your body!"

Luka gritted his teeth in anger towards the man. I tugged lightly on his hand," Luka…?"

He took my hand tightly before turning to leave," I'm leaving!"

Toko-chan pushed against his chest to stop him, while Tachibana grabbed his shoulders to pull him back.

"You can't", she exclaimed.

"Then I guess we'll have to ask Yuki-kun to do it", Tachibana assumed.

Luka stopped at this. I blinked in surprise before looking up at him. He turned his head to look back at Yuki.

"If you don't mind", Yuki said.

Luka stood in front of the doctor threateningly," If you do anything weird, I'll kill you."

"I couldn't ask for more", he replied just as scary.

The door closed, I looked over at it in surprise. Did they really just leave me here with the creepy doctor!? I didn't care if I was in pain! I didn't want the doctor looking me over!

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"Did he shock you", Toko-chan asked Yuki as they walked down a hallway.

"A little."

"I'm surprised Luka-kun agreed to the examination. He must really not want you healing him, Yuki-kun", Tachibana observed.

"Isn't that why I'm here?"

"His injuries wouldn't be the only source of pain."

"He doesn't want to see you suffer while healing his wounds", Toko-chan explained to him. "His heart would ache, I'm sure."

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

I sat on the office chair as the doctor looked at Luka's wound. The sun had completely set, leaving the sky dark. The only source of light was the stars and the moon. I held Choji tighter to me as I looked out.

Suddenly, I felt hot breath on my left ear as hands placed themselves on my shoulders," What about you, will you let me examine you?"

I jumped out of the chair with a yelp. A book in my way caused me to lose my footing, so I fell back on my tailbone.

"Ow", I moaned as I rubbed the spot.

"Let me have a look", the doctor cooed.

I hissed at him with a glare. The doctor straightened abruptly, taken back by my actions.

"My, my…where ever did you find her", he asked as he looked at Luka. The doctor gasped as he was met by another glare, only more deadly.

"I told you, I'll kill you if you try anything weird."

"But she's part Duras! We haven't ever had a chance to learn about half-Duras. She's probably the one in a million chance of a life time to discover more!"

Luka walked around the doctor and lifted me to my feet by my right hand.

"She's off limits", Luka finished.

The doctor grumbled before asking," Then why did she stay here with you?"

He lifted me up onto the table where he had been sitting previously", I wanted to re-bandage her wounds."

I blinked in surprise.

Luka knelt down and began to peel off the old bandages that were stained with blood. The wounds had mainly scabbed over and there was dried blood caking the rest of my finger. Using his thumb-nail, he peeled off the scabs. I winced slightly but otherwise didn't move.

Once the wounds were clean, and bleed un-infected blood, he wrapped me back up with new bandages. When he looked up to meet my gaze, I gave him a small smile in thanks.

"Thank you, Luka."

He smirked slightly, before it dropped. He gazed back at the doctor who was staring at us in shock. Standing, Luka quickly helped me off the desk.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take a look~?"

Spinning around, I hissed at him again. The doctor glared back at me, but said nothing more. Unknowingly to me, Luka was smirking in pride. I followed Luka down a hall that opened up into a courtyard.

"Are we going to go see Yuki-kun?"

Luka nodded without looking at me. I followed his gaze curiously. There leaning on the railing of a bedroom balcony, was Yuki. I smiled.

I opened my mouth to call to him but Luka said," Watch."

I did as a black ball of fur landed in front of Yuki. It was a tiny little thing. It uncurled to show a cute little winged Duras. I gasped and pressed into Luka's side. He squeezed my hand reassuringly. It took me a second to realize that the Duras wasn't going to hurt anyone. It almost seemed tamed; cute even.

"That's Sodom", Luka said louder.

Yuki looked down in surprise before smiling. I giggled and leaned my head against Luka where our hands were clasped together.

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"Byuuuuu~", Sodom sang happily. I giggled as I leaned against the stone wall on the cat walk.

"Do you like him", Luka asked.

"Yes", Yuki said as he looked over to him.

"He's my familiar."

"Oh", I hummed as I looked at the little Duras.

"I see", added Yuki. "Oh, how are your wounds?"

Luka smiled," It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Yuki rubbed my head," I'm sorry for leaving you in there, Rin. Toko-chan hurried me out."

"It's okay, Luka re-bandage my wounds", I said as I showed him. "But, that doctor is creepy. Why don't they send him after the Duras? He would scare them off by his unhealthy obsession of wanting to examine Duras…"

Yuki let out a laugh as he rubbed my head again," Hm…This place is like a whole other world. The building is practically a castle. And for Tokyo, it's unbelievably quiet."

Yuki waved his finger around in front of Sodom; he squeaked as he grabbed it," I can't even hear the children's voices."

"Do you worry about them?" Yuki looked at Luka for clarification," The children?"

"No", Yuki stated as he pulled his finger away from Sodom. Sodom fell, but flew back up with his wings. I 'aww'-ed and gave him my finger to play with. Sodom made a happy squeaked as he hugged my finger. I let out a giggle as my smile grew.

"They're all strong kids", Yuki continued. "I do worry about Kanata-san, though."

"Kanata", Luka asked.

"He's our friend", I said as I moved my finger around. "Kanata-san was like a big brother to us in the orphanage."

Yuki nodded," At the Asahi Orphanage, we were inseparable. And when I found Rin, he helped me with her as she grew up. I don't think I could've done it without him…Kanata-san said he used to think of humans as trifling creatures. But then, after meeting me, he gained hope for humanity and the future."

Yuki sat down on one of the lower sections. Sodom flew over to lie in his lap. I smiled and climbed up onto the higher section where Sodom had been before.

"He said we were different. That Rin and I would never be alone… Now that I think about it, those must have been his parting words. But at the time, I didn't realize it. I wish I could have told him that I was going to Tokyo…I…"

I watched with wide eyes as Yuki fell asleep on the spot. He leaned over against Luka, who, looked down at him. I covered my mouth as I yawned quietly. It was late after all.

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

I woke up from the nightmare I was having with a small scream. Sodom's ears drooped as he looked worriedly at Yuki and I. Sitting up, I rested my face in my hands.

I looked back at Yuki when he shifted,' He must be having another one of those dreams too…'

Luka was sitting on the window ledge of the room. When he meet my eyes, he frowned.

"Having another nightmare?"

Getting to his feet, Luka sat on the bed near Yuki as I looked at him with surprise.

"I'm sorry, Kanata-san", Yuki whimpered in his sleep as a tear slid down his face. Luka wiped it away with his hand gently. "I'm sorry…"

"Luka", I whispered.

He looked up at me as I slipped his necklace off. Scooting closer, I slipped it back over his head. The cross fell down onto the top of his chest. I traced my finger on it as I spoke," I almost forgot to give this back to you…Thank you for letting me borrow it."

Luka used his hand to cup the right side of my face. He smiled at me as he rubbed his thumb softly along my jaw to wipe away tears I hadn't realized had fallen. I stared happily into his silver eyes with my own.

"You should rest, Rin."

I frowned," But, I don't want to dream…"

"I'm here."

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"Reiga-sama…"

"Can we go outside yet", the Duras twin finished.

The two stood in the doorway, completely indistinguishable. Both had on red suits with a black collar, pale skin, white hair, pointed ears, and tear shape birthmarks. The only difference was the position of the red streak in their hair.

"I want to play outside, too", a female Duras said as she floated down.

"Not yet. The curtain will rise soon. Whether they're ready or not", he stated before dropping his glass of wine.

The glass shattered as it made impact with the floor. The red liquid pooled together around the shards.

Reiga stood from where he sat on the ledge," Stay here until I give you your orders."

"Where are you going, Reiga-sama", asked the female Duras as he disappeared down a hall.

"None of your business."

"No fair! You're going outside alone…"

~XxThexLostxGiouxX~

"Morning", Aya greeted when she saw us. The others also greeted us with more 'good morning'-s.

Yuki smiled at everyone," Good morning."

"Morning", I grinned as I hugged Choji.

"Did you sleep well last night", asked Tachibana.

"Hia, thanks to you."

"Then you like it here?"

Yuki looked down at me and smiled," Hia."

He patted my head gently. Walking towards the table he said," There are things about this place that feel very familiar, as though I once lived here, long ago. I've gained something extremely valuable. I can regain what I've lost. I'm happy I feel this way."

Everyone stared at Yuki in slight shock. I leaned against Luka. He glanced down at me before setting his hand on my head.

"Yuki-chan", Toko-chan said.

"Hai?"

"Yuki-chan… What's important to you?"

I stared at him at this. Yuki gazed down in thought.

"That's…"

Tachibana made his way over to Yuki. He set a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry", he said. "We just want to hear how you really feel."

Yuki smiled at us," My relationships, I guess."

"I'm sorry", Toko-chan whispered as she held back tears. "I'm sorry, Yuki-chan…But we've been waiting such a long time for you, Yuki-chan. We really wanted to see you. Really…"

Yuki took her hand," Thank you. I'm glad I met all of you, too."

"Splendid", a voice said when the door to the dining room opened. "Youthful, even this early in the morning. Truly splendid. I hope, eventually, I can be part of that."

My eyes widened as I looked at the doctor. He looked…alive. Clean shave, clean clothes, and a not so evil gleam in his eyes. But, I still squeaked in surprise as I hide behind Luka.

"Um", Yuki stuttered.

"Doctor, did you shave", Tachibana asked in surprise.

"Huh? Doctor? What? Dr. Isuzu…"

"My name is Fujiwara Isuzu. In order to keep you from using your powers, as much as possible, I've even forgone shaving, in favor of Duras research. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I stared at the man as he held out a hand to Yuki. How was it even possible for that guy to be the same person? Did he have a split personality or something?

"The pleasure's all mine."

"By the way", the doctor said as he got closer to Yuki. "It'd be great if you'd tell that idiot to let me examine him once in a while. The girl too."

I hissed at him with a glare as Luka shook with anger.

"Sodom!"

In a puff of smoke, Sodom appeared in front of the doctors' face. He 'mew'-ed at him.

"Oh! The legendary dragon, Sodom! Give yourself to my great research!"

Sodom glared at the doctors' request before sinking his teeth into his hand. Everyone gasped in shock, except for Luka and I. He smirked in victory while I giggled for the same reason.

The doctor let out a girly scream in pain. My giggles increased at the sound. Who knew a man could sound so girly in his time of weakness.

The doors to the kitchen slammed open as a young man came out," What was that?"

He paused as the doctor came by while trying to shake the Duras off. He was still screaming in a high pitched voice as he shook harder. But Sodom held on like his life depended on it.

"Ka-chan", Tachibana said. "This is Yuki-kun and Rin-kun, our newest residents. This is Toma Kasumi-kun. He's the Twilight Mansion's cook."

"Hello", I greeted through my giggling.

Yuki bowed," Nice to meet you."

"Uh, no…Nice to meet you", he said as he bowed as well.

Toko-chan interrupted," Toma-san, I'm famished."

"Just a minute!"

We all sat down at the long table, as we waited for our breakfast to arrive. Sodom had finally released the doctor by then. I was sitting by Yuki, who had Luka on the other side.

Sodom flapped over my head as he looked at himself in the plate's shiny reflection.

"Behave yourself, Sodom", Yuki said. "Come."

Sodom flapped his little wings over to Yuki. He came to a stop as he sat on Yuki's shoulder.

I giggled," Good boy, Sodom!"

Yuki smiled, but then noticed the two empty seats beside me," Toko-chan, where are Hotsuma-kun and Shusei-kun?"

"Huh? Oh, right…"

I frowned. Those two had issues that needed to be fixed before something happened.

Me: I loved this chapter. There were so many cute moments between people and Rin...

Doctor: You make it seem like a maniac...

Hotsuma: That's because you are...

Doctor: Hey! I make sure you and Shusei-kun and the others are fine!

Me: OK, enough of that. Review, please? And you can get a hug from Sodom!

Sodom: Byuuuuu~