I was walking to school, thinking back to a silly time that we thought would come true...

But fate was cruel.

(See what I did there? No? Okay...)

~Flashback~

I sat alone in a corner of our mini home, reading a book called 'How To Love'.

"Sayomi..Hey, Sayomi? Sayomi, are you listening to me?" Mika kept trying to get my attention.

I folded the page to where I wanted to start on again, then looked to him. "Yes?"

"You didn't hear me, did you?" he asked with a smile.

"I apologize, I didn't. I was just so consumed into this book," I said and held the book up.

Mika sheepishly smiled at me, "..'How To Love'? You're really don't know how?"

"I've only felt six emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, excitement, and shock. Nothing more, nothing less. Despite me being eleven and a child, I want to know how to love."

Mika smirked, "Really now? Which one?"

I tilted my head in confusion, "I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"Aww, poor Sayo doesn't know the difference. There are two types of love. One is the one you have towards family and friends, like us. The other is towards lovers and married couples."

I nodded in understanding since my parents showed a perfect example of romantic love.

My eyes widened in realization and I clutched my hands over my heart, blushing to no end.

Mika placed his right hand on my left shoulder, "Are you okay? You don't look so good."

"Mikaela..describe the feelings of romantic love," I mumbled as I shadowed my face with my hair.

"Um, sure?..When someone's in love with another, their heartbeat increases, they have a need to hold that person, protect ane support them, and they feel happy or excited whenever they see them. Oh, let me not forget that they can feel extremely nervous, too."

'I'm feeling all of that right now. Could it be that I am i-in l-lo...love..w-with-'

"Perhaps..you feel that way towards me, Sayomi?" I heard Mika ask.

Looking up at him with red cheeks, I stood up and shook my head, "N-no, I don't! I love Mika as family!"

"Your protesting isn't helping. It's written all over your face, Sayo. You love me romantically."

Beginning to shake in fear, I realized this was the second time in my life I was actually afraid..to be exact in this situation, afraid of rejection.

Mika giggled, "I'm kidding, Sayomi. No need to get so worried and shaken up."

'Your eyes didn't say that. It's as if you can read me like a book, Mika. I don't know why, but..you will be the death of me one day.'

"If you do, will you become my girlfriend?"

Feeling an arm around me, I was pulled back into arms as I stared at Mika in disbelief.

"Geez, Mika. Teasing her like that got her all scared. Wait...boyfriend?! No way! Sayomi would want to date someone like me!"

"Y-Yuichirou?" I stuttered.

"Someone like you? Haha..Not a chance, Yu. She would like a someone who is actuallygentle," Mika replied calmly and pulled my right arm towards him.

Yu pulled my left arm. They kept pulling my arms until Akane came around and noticed my distress.

"What's going on here?" she asked and pulled me away from them. I hid behind her.

"Nothing much. So, who would you choose, Sayo?" Mika asked me.

"Help, Akane. I'm being hunted down by something other than vampires. Love is torture!" I said dramatically.

"Love? Wait, what? I can't believe you would really step down to Yu's level of idiocy, Mika. As for you, what's your point, Yu?"

Yu folded his arms and looked away, "She's the only girl in this hellhole that's pretty."

"Hey, I'm pretty, too!" Akane whined.

"For all of your information, I don't plan on having a boyfriend..even if we do escape this place. I'm strong and independent, and that's how it's going to be for the rest of my life," I stated my opinion.

There was silence until we all started laughing at our childish behavior despite my mature opinion.

~Flashback Ends~

"...And yet, I kept my word."

'..When you kiss someone you have feel for and vice versa for the other person, doesn't that mean the two are a official couple?'

Blushing at the thought, I shook my head and screamed, "Noooooo! That doesn't make me independent anymo_re!"

"Sayo?" I heard a kind voice behind me.

Stopping my screaming and ruffling my hair with my hands, I cleared my throat and straightened my hair.

Turning around, I smiled, "Yes..Yoichi?"

"Are y-you alright?" he asked me with a closed eyed smile and sweat drop on his right temple.

"Oh, I'm fine."

I frowned ever so slightly, 'You put on a false smile to hide your false intent. You want revenge...but you're hiding some other emotion I can't identify.'

"You remind me of myself a bit, Yoichi. Nice on the outside, but probably dangerous if provoked."

He scratched his cheek with his left index finger, "I-I suppose so.."

After the somewhat awkward, short silence, we laughed together.

"Getting along well?" We heard a familiar voice ask.

We turned around to see Shinoa and Yuichirou. I avoided eye contact with him.

"Yeah.."

"Two innocent cinnamon rolls," she giggled.

I smiled, "..You keep thinking that," I said and walked on ahead to school, laughing.

-3rd P.O.V-

"Yu..." Shinoa spoke.

"Hm?"

"Your friend is strange-"

He grunted, "I know."

~Small Time Skip~

Throughout class, I kept glancing at Yu and he seemed to get irritated every time I averted my eyes.

'I wish I still had that book. Maybe it could give me answers to my complicated situation. I don't know much about love, which is..pitiful.'

Sighing in hopelessness, my head sunk as an aura of depression could be seen around me.

~Small Time Skip~

Miss Hanayori eneded another lesson.

My head fell on my desk as I began to silently sulk at my hopelessness...

Until a hand came on my shoulder.

On instinct, I grabbed the hand with my right and twisted it, making that person fall on their knees.

"Ow, ow, ow! Let go!" Yuichirou yelled in pain.

I quickly let go and stared at him with apologetic eyes, not saying a word to him.

"Don't just stare. Say something," he told me with a frown.

"...Hi."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Tch. Do you regret yesterday?"

I shadowed my face with my hair, "Of course not. I'm just...new to it, is all," I muttered the last part.

"Well, to make it easy on you..." he began, then leaned down to my right ear, "It was my first, too," he whispered.

Yuichirou leaned up and tried not to snicker at my reaction, which resulted in my cheeks turning red.

"You're like Guren's son," I replied boldly.

"The guy practically raised me," he responded, folding his arms behind his head.

I looked to the front of the classroom to see Guren having a conversation with Miss Hanayori.

Closing my eyes, I listened to what they were saying with my intense hearing.

"What? Seriously, Lt. Col. Guren?"

"Well, if someone doesn't make it..." he started and placed his right hand on his katana.

I quickly got up out of my chair and pushed Yuichirou behind me, causing him to be startled at my actions.

"They should blame themselves from not training enough," he pulled out his katana, which gave off a dark aura.

It spread across the classroom, effecting many students; but when it got close to me and Yu...

It stopped.

Guren lifted an eyebrow in question as I shrugging innocently...despite me knowing the reason why it stopped.

"It stopped at her...Why.." I heard Shinoa say in disbelief.

I slowly put my right hand within the dark miasma and it all went back into his katana.

The students who were poised by it collapsed and were either groaning or became unconscious.

"Sir, who...is she exactly?" Miss Hanayori questioned in confusion.

"I don't know, but..you're quite special, Sayo," Guren complimented me.

My cheeks slightly turned pink, but I hid it with a nervous smile, 'I'm really not..'

"Those who are standing...I'll immediately let you challenge a Black Demon Series, the same rank as my own," Guren explained.

I turned to Yu, "Are you okay?"

His left eye twitched at me, "You didn't have to protect me. I can take care of myself."

I smiled, "I know you can, but protecting you is an instinct I've developed," I spoke before turning around, "Question, Lt. Col."

He looked at me as the others-Yu, Shinoa, Yoichi, Kimizuki, and Miss Hanayori-did, too.

"Does that include me?"

He smirked, "We'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

~Small Time Skip~

We walked down unknown steps through a dark corridor.

I felt someone glance at me, already knowing who it is and knowing what the question is.

Making a closed eyed smile, I looked to Yu and put my hands up, "It was the mark of the angel, if you're wondering."

Halfway knowing this walk was going to be a long walk, I zoned out.

~Flashback~

Yu, Mika, and I were walking around, talking about whatever popped up in our imaginative minds.

Laughing at a joke Mika made, I frowned and looked straightforward, sensing a presence I didn't like one bit.

"Ah, little Mikaela. How was the meal?"

Ferid Bathory, a seventh progenitor I've been secretly learning about.

I knew about Mika's small 'offerings' to him and I told him to stop, but he refused to, so he can keep providing food and other things for us.

"It was great. Thank you," Mika said with a smile.

Yuichirou grabbed me by my right hand with his left, walking away. He and I both knew about Mika's secret.

"Hm? I've seen your little friend before, but who may be the girl?"

Yu and I stopped in our footsteps, then turned around glared at the menacing noble, "It's none of your-"

"What he meant to say is that she's our friend, Sayomi. Come and say hello to Lord Ferid," Mika said with a nervous closed eyed smile.

Yu hesitated to let go of my hand, but I made him by smiling a little to let him know 'I'll be okay'. I walked next to Mika, who held a somewhat stern look.

I looked up at the noble with a false nervous expression, "Hello, sir. I'm Sayomi Hyakuya."

"Hello, Sayomi. I believe your name means 'night-born' or 'beauty of the night'. How unique."

I made a false smile, "Thank you."

"Mika, will she be joining tonight's feast?"

"I wouldn't mi-"

Mika cut me off, "No, Lord Ferid. She has to help another friend of ours cook. Isn't that right, Sayo?"

Slightly narrowing my eyes at Mika in a quick glance, he and I knew what my intentions were...To kill Ferid Bathory when he least expected while feasting on my precious Mika.

"Alrighty then. I'll be seeing you tonight at my mansion," he told him, then leaned down and kissed the back of my left hand with a 'smile', "It's nice meeting you little princess."

I 'smiled', "You as well, seventh progenitor Bathory."

The dark tension between us could be sensed if one was that keen..and that didn't get by Mika nor Yu.

Speaking of Yu, he pulled me by my right hand again and away from the noble."C'mon, Sayomi. We have to go meet up with the others," he said with gritted teeth.

"I apologize for his behavior, Lord Ferid. See you," Mika said and caught up with us.

~Flashback Ends~

Not realizing I was humming, I heard Yu sigh, which made me come out of my daze.

"There you go again humming that same melody. What are you humming anyway?" Yu asked me.

I smiled, "You'll know in due time."

Glancing to Yoichi, I noticed a new aura around him, 'They must've talked to him about his revenge. I wouldn't underestimate Yoichi just because of his outside appearance..'

~Tiny Time Skip~

We entered a elevator that went down and a dark room that I assumed held the Black Demon Series.

Studying the room, statues hung over black weapons.

"Finally! After waitingfor four years, I get to take my revenge for my family...and for the torture one of them went through," Yu muttered the last part.

With intense hearing and being close to him, I nudged his side by lightly pushing into him.

"So, what do I have to do?" Yu questioned Guren.

"It's simple. Just approach the weapon of your choice and pull it out," Guren explained.

"Heh, that's easy," Yu replied arrogantly.

"I'm afraid not. I'm letting you all know now, these demons play with your memories," I spoke up.

Their attention turned to me as if asking how did I know that to which I raised my hands that glowed a vibrant gold.

As they went forward, I stood in my position with crossed arms, studying each demon's statue.

'Kiseki-o, Gekkõin, and Asuramaru...I know the last one.'

'Really? Is he dangerous?'

'Yes. Watch over Yuichirou carefully.'

I smirked, 'You needn't tell me at all.'

"You go too, Sayo," Guren suddenly said and I looked at him with confusion.

"I'm not entirely sure about that," I said in uncertainty.

He sighed while approaching me and wrapped my left arm around my waist, "Unless you want to stay out here with me?" he questioned seductively.

"Hey! I'm here, too!" Shinoa sarcastically complained.

I noticed Yu glaring and growling lowly. So for both our sakes, I shook my head in embarrassment.

"Uh, I'll take my chances with the demon," I said and slipped out of his grasp.

I studied each weapon until my eyes landed on two black automatic PM63 guns. I looked at my right hand and back at the guns.

'Chimei-tekina Ohimesama-tachi...I hope you can transform,' I walked up to guns and grabbed them, then pulled them out.

I was within lots of water that came to my feet, not so much gst my feet wet. The sky was blue as ever, but there were no clouds.

"Oh, is that you, Sayo?" a voice behind me asked.

Slowly turning around, I saw familiar faces smile at me.

"Look everyone! Sayo is here!" the 'so called' Akane called behind her to the children.

The kids from the orphanage ran up to me and gathered around me with smiles.

"We've missed you so much, Sayomi!" the 'so called' Aiko shouted.

"Yeah!" they cheered.

I looked down at them...

With a grimace and disgusted look.

I made my way past them and out of the circle, approaching the blond who stood before me with a blank expression.

"Is something wrong, Sayomi?" he asked me with a 'smile'.

I frowned, "You should know better not to toy..with a half breed's memories, demon," was my reply.

I touched the 'so called' Mikaela's forehead with my right index finger and in an instant...

He burned into thin air along with the other children.

"As always, you impress me, Sayomi," I heard a voice ahead of me.

"Hey, Dante," I greeted the angel once again and turned around.

She was a younger version of my mother, about fifteen years old. Her hair was light brown like mines, but had silver tints in two strands on each side.

Her eyes were golden brown. Lastly, she wore a while royal kimono with silver leaves decorating it.

"And you, too, SaySayomi Seraphina Lumina Kiiro," she stated my full name.

I smiled a bit, "You really do like that name, don't you?"

She giggled, "I don't like it, I love it. It suits you well."

She may have my mother's physical appearance and kind of acted like her, but I knew it wasn't her. This angel took on the appearance of someone I could trust.

"Have you called for me, dear?"

"Well, if I'm here, I must've as well as touched the weapon called a Black Demon Series or Cursed Gear."

"Right. Well, you're in luck because you don't have to battle me or your demon. It already submitted to you. Or in other words.."

I crossed my arms and showed concern, "Is there a problem?"

"The demon isn't here. I took over its powers and purified them for you."

My eyes widened, "Seriously? I thought you would've let me battled it to see if I really surpassed you, but that's fine with me. I'm not complaining."

Dante giggled, then stayed silent for a while. She looked down, then back up with a genuine smile.

"My little princess has grown up so fast. I know you'll protect Yuichirou, like I protected Ryota. Now, go."

Confusion was written on my face, "Wh-what? Wait, Dante!"

Waking up, I quickly sat up and looked around.

'What did she mean...Surely, she was playing around, like she does sometimes.'

"Sayo-! Don't aim that thing at me!" Yu shouted as I aimed my right gun at him from being surprised at his sudden approach.

"I'm sorry. Don't just walk up on me like that," I said after putting the gun down.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," he said with a poker face.

"You took an awfully long time, Longer than Yoichi. Was it that difficult?" Kimizuki said and asked me.

"No, I just had a...talk...with the angel. Her name is Dante," I said as I studied the guns.

"Then, what happened to the demon?" Yoichi questioned.

I smirked and started to chuckle, "...It was consumed by the angel. I didn't really have to do anything."

"One hell of an angel," Gurem commented.

"Sayo. Yoichi turned into a demon and attacked all of us, but..he didn't attack you. Do you know why that is?" Shinoa informed and asked me.

I looked at Yoichi to see he waa perfectly fine, but I did sense the demonic aura around him, but not his soul.

I looked back to her, "No."

"He said that, "I can't attack that one because if I did, she wouldn't die, for she's the true queen." Got any idea what that means?" Kimizuki remarked the demon's words.

I got off the ground, "Queen? Me? Haha, far from one. Anyway, I don't mind myself."

While responding, I made the PM36 guns disappear into gold dust, then summoned Himezuru-sa from my hand, changed her into Chimei-tekina Ohimesama-tachi, and transformed them into the PM36 guns.

"Bad a$$," Yu commented and pat me on the back.

"We'll deal with this later, but for now, you five have a mission to complete," Guren spoke and we gave out attention to him.

"I guess it's time for you all to be sent to the front lines."

Everyone was shocked or excited by the news except for Shinoa and I.

'If I recall correctly, I heard some speaking of taking some land back in Shinjuku from the vampires the day after I arrived. I'm already one step ahead of you, Guren.

Laying my Cursed Gear on the floor, I intertwined my fingers and got on my knees, pressing the palm of my hands together.

'Lord above, please, let my friend be there and..if he's not...at least let him be alive.'

"What are you doing?" Kimizuki asked me.

I stood back up, transforming the guns back into Himezuru-sa and sealing her back in my right hand, then I opened my eyes, "It doesn't hurt to pray."

"What are you praying for?" Yu asked.

I smiled and placed my right index finger over my lips, "Sshhh..."

(So busy, so busy, so busy! Eep! I have to write this, and that, and then-

Reader-chan/kun: Ahem.

Oh! Hey there, reader-chan/kun! Forget anything that you just read!)