I looked through the fence on the rooftop, staring at the green grass and trees, wondering about the world.

'It's peaceful. I've never seen something so beautiful throughout my long life. If only I could enjoy it with...'

"You seem as if you're in deep thought." I heard my friend next to me.

Glancing to the right, I saw her stare at me with a expression of concern and I gently smiled.

"It's just...I hope to see this kind of scenery in my short life, Mahiru."

Mahiru slightly frowned, "Sayoko, you know that if you join me, you can have everlasting life..."

I couldn't how many times she wanted me to help prefect this weapon called 'Cursed Gear'.

Mahiru Hiragi and I have been friends since our first year of Junior High and we were currently in our last year as well.

I changed my background a lot just to become friends with her and create coexistence. I've told her about future events my eyes can see with, but I didn't tell her all the details.

Though it seems as if she has different objectives and I certainly didn't like what she was to do in the year to come...but I've never told her that.

Even I, Sayoko Kuribayashi, keeps her secrets. Mahiru knows I am a Progenitor, but she doesn't know which one.

"I don't want to help with that. Mahiru, listen to me, you're dealing with demonic witchery. Do you not realize the love you have for Guren Ichinose is consuming you to do evil things such a perfecting this Cursed Gear?"

She giggled, "I know that. You should at least try it out. I am willing to become a demon for Guren." She said and twirled around.

"If you know that's a consequence, then you're a fool, Mahiru Hiragi." I snapped at her.

"You want coexistence, no? Then, the only way for that is to fight our way through your kind and convince the Queen with all her kind to help get along."

Mahiru didn't know she already did convince the Queen.

"Anyway, you're not only after coexistence. You're after something else, too. What may it be?" She took note of and asked me, stopping her twirling.

I looked back at the green grass, "...It has to do with the Brotherhood of a Thousand Nights."

"Oh? The most powerful organization of magic? I didn't know we had the same objectives, Sayoko..."

"What you and I want to do are different when it comes to the Brotherhood of a Thousand Nights. I want a chimaera from there...and it has to be a newborn."

She came back to my side, "Are you planning to do experimentation?"

"No...You see, Mahiru, I've been working with the Ichinose Clan in secret and the only way to benefit their scientists is with presenting a chimaera they've never seen."

She frowned, "What are you trying to play at."

"I'm saying that my plans will only lead to future answers." I walked away after I said that.

~Time Skip~

My long red dress trailed behind me as I walked up to my throne.

Sitting down, I sighed, 'Being a Queen can be a royal pain sometimes. If only I had some entertainment in my free time, I wouldn't be so bored.'

"Ah, see? She is here, Eusford." I heard a familiar agitating voice.

An irk mark appeared on my left temple, for I didn't have to open my eyes to see what two vampires was in the room with me.

Hearing footsteps approach me...and a third pair that came closer, I opened my eyes to see what was happening.

I glared at the two, "What is it you two want...Bathory, Crowley."

Upon seeing my niece with a smile, Krul, my glare softened and she hugged me.

Backing away, she stood next to me and silently observed what my actions were going to be for the two noblemen.

"We simply came to ask a request." Bathory told me.

I looked to Crowley, partly knowing he wasn't involved, "I have nothing to do with what he's planning, Queen Estelle. He dragged me into this."

I sighed, "What is this request, Bathory?"

He simply smirked, "I am sure you have heard about the experiments the humans are doing on children in orphanages, yes?"

I narrowed my eyes, "Yes. It truly disgusts me."

"Well, I am here to request you to let...Eusford steal one of the children, so we can observe its actions." His smirk turned into a 'playful' smile.

"Heyyy," Crowley whined.

"In other words, observe the Seraph of the End's actions..." I corrected and thought about this.

'I've never seen a Seraph of the End subject. I don't believe the human children are a danger, but if you push them to a certain point...Hn, I know Ferid has other plans in mind if we get our hands on one. I don't need more catastrophe being caused below ground.'

I stood, "Instead of being sneaky about this, I shall disguise myself as a human, act like an assistant to their caretaker, and observe these Seraph of End subjects."

"Are you sure about that, my Queen?" Bathory questioned.

"Do you think I'm incapable?" I countered his question with another and moved pass them.

Before I exited my throne room, I looked back to Krul.

"Krul, dear. Due take care of matters for today for your aunt. You'll be rewarded with my blood."

"Yes, Aunt Estelle," she replied immediately with a small smile.

~Small Time Skip~

Sneaking out of Sanguinem without vampires noticing you was no easy task, not even for the First Female Progenitor.

I already knew the location of where the 'interesting' subjects were, Hyakuya Orphanage.

I wore a gray, long sleeve blouse that were like kimono sleeves when it reached my forearm, black stretch jeans, and black, bondage boots.

Honestly, I admired the humans style of clothing nowadays. It's much better than wearing nineteenth century, self-restricting dresses. My curly, light brown hair hung down with a thin white ribbon wrapped around in a small braid on the left, and I wore my thin framed glasses.

'Ugh, the horror I went through with corsets and brother mocked me about it...' I groaned in my thoughts.

Smiling at by-passers that greeted me, I truly did find them nice people to say the least. Why does my kind not care for humans?

Approaching my destination, I walked up the steps and knocked on the brown wooden door. Patiently waiting for the door to open, I was greeted by a middle-aged woman.

"Hello, Miss. How may I help you?"

I smiled genuinely, "Hello there. You see, ma'am, I came to this orphanage to apply for a part-time job."

She seemed bewildered, "Oh, my! Really? I can have some extra help around here now."

"What do I have to do to get the job?"

Her bewilderment beamed, "Hm, since you seem like such a nice young woman, I'll simply observe your actions with the children."

My face remained happy, 'Not to be rude or anything, but seriously? What if I were a murderer, or child molester and she knew? Would she then look at me as a 'nice young woman'?'

"Okay, thank you," I thanked her and she let me enter.

When I entered, all activities that were going on stopped and adorable, big eyes stared at me curiously.

"Director, who's she?" A small, cute girl asked the woman.

"Oh, this young woman might become my assistant. I'm just observing for the time being," she told the small girl and pat her head.

"Mhm, what's your name, sweety?" I agreed and asked her.

"It's Akane...you're really pretty, Miss...?"

"Oh, I'm Sayoko Kuribayashi. It's nice to meet you all," I introduced myself to the children and bowed.

When I leaned up, I was met with blue, cat-like eyes that seemed to hold a tragic past, but beamed brightly.

He held his hand out, "It's nice to meet you, Kuribayashi-san. I'm Mikaela Hyakuya, the oldest around here."

His pale blond hair was like sand on a beach and his eyes were very adorable and mesmerizing, 'Mikaela, hnn...'

Immediately, I hugged him.

I rubbed my cheek against his, "Eeee! So cuuuuute!" I cuddled him more.

My behavior towards him caused their caretaker to giggle at my actions while I noticed a flustered face of Akane's and the rest of the children laughed at us.

"K-Kuribayashi-san?" He stuttered against my cheek.

I let go of him and stood, bowing, "I apologize, Mikaela. It's just when I see something or someone cute...I just want to cuddle them."

He looked away from me with red, embarrassed cheeks...full of cuteness!

"I-it's alright, Kuribayashi-san.."

"Please, call me Sayoko and you, I'll call you Mika, okay?"

"Hey, Sayomi!"

I turned away from the noble in front of me to look behind me, seeing Akane.

Her eyes trailed away from mine, seeing the noble that was in front of me that was smirking at her.

My peripheral vision caught that.

"Ah, sweet Sayo, is she your friend?" Bathory asked me.

My grim expression turned into a naive, happy expression before Bathory could set his eyes on me.

If I even let him suspect me of being like him once, he would most definitely take me to Krul Tepes, the Queen and my cousin.

No human nor vampire needn't know that at the time.

I nodded, "Mhm! Um...by the way...Lord Bathory, if I may ask, why did you call me here?"

He chuckled, "I'll let you off with a quick hint, so you can go play with your friend."

At a too stealthy pace...to a human, Bathory came down to my level with an amused, yet frightening smile.

In order to act like a scared human child, I flinched and trembled in fear...when really, I felt no fear, but absolute abhorrer towards Bathory.

"You look like her, yet your scent says otherwise," he whispered in my left ear before leaning up, "Alright. Now, off you go. See you, Sayo-chan!"

For a moment, I hesitated on leaving, but I knew I had to. I didn't want suspicion to rise as other vampires passed by.

Approaching Akane, she stared at me with worry in her eyes. I only made a small smile towards her.

"Are you okay? I don't see any blood."

I placed my hand on her head and giggled a little, "I'm fine, Akane. Don't worry about me."

'The only one who has to worry is me. Bathory is curious of me being Estelle Lucienne Ruby's daughter...I have to be more discreet or I'll put Yuichiro, Mikaela, Akane, and the rest of my family in danger...'

My eyes opened up when I felt a presence near me.

Immediately, I summoned Himezuru-sa and aimed it at whoever stood before me.

"My, my~. No need to be so cautious~."

I slowly sat up, wincing a bit, "Ugh, out of all vampires...you're the vampire I awake to."

He put a hand on his hip, "Oh? Were you expecting little Mika?"

I glared at him before positioning myself in a sitting position and taking quick glances of where I was. I was in...a city bus?

"Due tell why I am in a bus, Bathory."

"Ah, how I admire that authority you have, like your Mother," he said before pulling me up by my right hand. "She wasn't willing to let me take her blood, but you..."

I pulled away from him and passed him by, "Don't touch me with your bloodstained gloves."

In the corner of my right eye, I saw that he looked at his gloves in slight shock and I slightly smirked.

'I guess he has his dumb moments, too.' At that thought, I held a laugh and exited the bus.

Sensing a presence to my right, I looked to see Crowley, waving and smiling at me.

I blinked before frowning, "Hmph," was my reply before quietly inhaling the air.

Turning to the direction where I smelled the scents, I entered the small building and looked at the two doors.

'Wait a minute, why would Shinoa and Mitsuba be in the men's restroom? Well, observing the situation at hand, they must be forming a plan...'

I casually walked into the men's restroom.

"You all seem busy," I spoke when I saw them in a circle either squatting or standing on the floor.

Yoichi beamed and tackled me in a hug, "You're okay!"

I giggled sheepishly, "Well, it'll take a lot more to kill me."

Yoichi slightly pulled away and stared at me in slight anxiety and he was about to ask something, but Shinoa spoke first.

"Well, we're glad our only hope isn't dead. That statement makes me wonder about you, Sayomi. Are you capable of even dying?"

Yoichi stepped back as I crossed my arms, "...Maybe?" I responded in a uncertain tone.

Narumi frowned, "Shall we test that?" He questioned with a serious expression.

Mika pointed his sword at Narumi's neck, "Try to hurt her and I'll-"

"Mika, it's just a joke. Calm down," Yu told him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Oh, my. This is interesting~," Shinoa mused and chuckled afterwards.

I tilted my head, 'What's so interesting?'

I cleared my throat and approached Mika, putting my hand on his that held the sword.

I smiled towards him, "I'd appreciate it if you'd put that down. I don't want to see any of my comrades get killed."

"Speaking of being killed, you're strong enough to take down those Bathory and Crowley guys, why not take the advantage?" Narumi questioned me.

"I'm using them. I need as much information I can get from the two. As for Dante...she's giving me information, too...piece by piece."

"And by piece by piece, you're saying that Dante is the cause of your blackouts," Kimizuki basically concluded.

"Yeah. Whenever I would blackout, I'd see my father or mother's memories."

"Can you tell us what you know so far that will help us in our situation?" Shinoa asked, seriousness spreading on her face.

I began to think with closed eyes, "...Bathory and Crowley have not only taken us 'hostage' to use me, but my conscious tells me...that Bathory is using us as a presentation."

"A presentation? You mean, Ferid Bathory is using us to present him to someone. How would you know something like that?" Yoichi figured and questioned.

I opened my eyes, "Not someone, perhaps a large group. Best stay on your guards."

Mitsuba crossed her arms, "Hmph, just 'cause you're special doesn't mean you don't have to watch your back, Sayo."

I only frowned, "Just because I'm basically a princess, does not make me special, not in the least...I'm just trying to find a rode that leads to a better future."

"I suppose that's what makes you special, your dedication," Yu pointed out.

"*Sigh* More like stubbornness..." I commented whilst shaking my head.

Yu was offended, though I didn't mean to offend him, "Hey! Was that a insult towards you or me?!"

"Probably both of you since you're both idiots...well, maybe not Sayo since she has common sense," Kimizuki commented.

"What?! The one who doesn't have common sense is Shinoa! She entered the men's bathroom, asking how to use one of the stalls!" Yu pointed a finger at her.

"Really?" I asked her.

"Ahahaha..." She only chuckled.

Yuichiro and Kimizuki kept bickering, calling each other 'idiot', 'dumb ass' and other insulting names.

I looked to Mika, who observed the scene quietly, '...Aw, he looks lonely,' I thought and walked next to him.

Yu stopped bickering with Kimizuki as if he remembered something important.

"Mika! Guess what?"

Mika looked to him, curious, "What?"

Yu glanced to me with a sly smirk and my eyes widened, knowing what he was about to tell him.

"I k-"

I pounced on Yu and covered his mouth, "We're glad you're here! Hahaha! Isn't that right, Yuichiro?"

Yu shook his head, trying to break loose from my strong grip, but I had the upper hand.

"See? He's happy!"

"Whatever it is...she must really not want him to know..." I heard Yoichi comment to Kimizuki, who nodded.

~Small Time Skip~

We were back on the road.

Everyone kept quiet...

While I glared at Yu from my seat that was across from his. Mika sat behind me. Narumi sat in front of me. Mitsuba sat in front of Yu. Kimizuki sat behind Mika. Yoichi sat behind Yu. Shinoa sat in front of Mitsuba.

You could say this was a type of formation we planned just in case Crowley and Bathory decided to attack us.

Mika sighed and leaned forward, "Glaring at him won't solve anything."

I kept my frown, "I know that."

I was glaring at Yu...but Himezuru-sa was 'gleamed' at Asuramaru. Dante would whisper in my thoughts about keeping watch on him sometimes.

Sighing, I turned away from Yu and faced forward, closing my eyes to relax them from glaring for a long time.

'Bathory said that where we were going was a 'surprise' and that Guren's friends-Shinya Hiragi, Mito Jujo, Norito Goshi, Sayuri Hanayori, and Shigure Yukimi-died long ago, but they were revived, resulting in a pricr to pay...A price to pay, huh...'

My eyes widened as I looked at the symbol on my right hand where Himezuru-sa was lingering, waiting to be drawn.

'Judgement and Punishment...my Cursed Gear's name in English...could that somehow be a clue to connection with the Seraph of the End experiment?...Yeah, it has to be. The virus started with those six. As for earlier, I'm guessing after I passed out, Yu went berserk from seeing Akane's head because of the aura I sensed around him. Shinoa told me on our restroom break that Bathory used some type of injection that calmed his demon...the same injection Guren is using. Narumi said that we stand no chance against them right now, so it's best if we made a truce. That wouldn't be true if Dante hadn't used my energy. That reminds me, Yoichi said something about Yu getting colder towards us since Asuramaru is slowly taking Yu's body over...I don't like the sound of that.'

I turned my eyes to stare at the blue sky, I sighed again.

'All this thinking is making my head hurt and hungry. What should I do?'

Hearing a loud roar and building falling in the near distance, I moved my eyes to look for the source of the commotion.

Seeing a Four Horsemen of John, my eyes narrowed, 'I guess I have no choice, but to lie...'

I stood up and walked to the middle of the bus, looking up at the emergency exit latch.

"Sayomi?" Yu questioned, curious of my actions.

I turned to them, "I'm going on a killing spree to let off some steam..." I turned to Bathory and Crowley, who was driving, "You two don't mind...do you?"

Bathory approached me and smiled, "As long as you come back. Take more than ten minutes...and I'll have to hunt you down, Angel~."

I scoffed, 'Who am I to be frightened by you?' I thought and opened the latch above me.

Easily, I jumped up and crawled out the bus, making sure to put down the lid. I turned towards the crumbled, destroyed city.

The view reminded me of when my mother went atop the school roof in junior high with Mahiru to talk about their plans and the future.

I ran and jumped off the moving bus.

"Wait, Sayomi! You can't fly-" Yu called out to me.

Apparently, I landed on some railing and steadied my balance, sliding down towards the broken city to where the Horsemen was.

"She...she just..." Was all Yu could mumble.

"Well, it's to be expected from a vampire of her superior status," Ferid complemented...I think.

The others thought I was going to go kill the Horsemen, and I was, but not before I find me something to eat.

'Whether it's pig, lamb, rabbit. I don't care, I just need something to eat before my blood lust kicks in.'

It's true that I don't desire blood...but not if I haven't had it within a long time, perhaps two months...

My eyes widened, "And I thought Yuichiro was the idiot."

Looking around whilst avoiding the Horsemen for now, I heard small voices and before I knew it, I saw two children, cowering behind a large piece of concrete.

"Excuse me, little boy, little girl...are you alright?"

They noticed me and stopped trembling a bit, "Y-yes, b-but please hide. That monster is-!" The little girl tried to explain, but her face showed fear.

The boy pointed a finger behind me, "M-Miss...b-behind you..."

I knew the Horsemen was behind me and as soon as the boy finished speaking, it went to attack me.

I leaned up from the children's level and turned around, sticking my right hand out.

As soon as the Horsemen came into contact with me, a bright gold circle and pentagon with Latin words written in it appeared, and a bright light nearly surrounded the city.

The Horsemen was nothing, but sparkles and flower petals being carried in the gentle breeze.

I turned back to the children, who stared at me in awe. I smiled down at them as the sparkling, white light from before appeared under my feet and stretched to its destination.

"Listen, little ones...if you follow this line here, it'll take you to Second Shibuya. Whatever you encounter along the way will not be able to hurt you as long as you stay on this line," I explained to them.

"Th-thank you so much, Miss!" The little boy said as the girl hugged me around my legs.

The two children walked on the light that was thick enough for two and waved to me before running off.

'...It feels nice to help people who are in need. If only...I had the strength to protect all of my friends and family...'

Going back to what I came to do, I heard a nearby squeal, which made me lick my lips.

Glancing to my left, I saw a pig, 'Raw bacon it is, then.'

~Tiny Time Skip~

Just at the ten minute mark, I landed on the moving city bus, making a loud sound and probably startling some of the others in the bus.

Opening the hatch up, I slowly slid back into the bus and closed the hatch again.

"Just in time, too~. What was that light we witnessed moments ago?" Bathory asked.

I turned to him, "Nonya."

"Nonya?" he questioned.

"Nonya business," I retorted and went back to sit down in my seat.

I could tell Shinoa held a chuckle as she looked outside her window.

Narumi turned around, "Um...Sayomi?" He called to me, pointing to the side of my lips.

I touched the left side of my lips and saw blood from when I ate the edible parts of the pig.

Quickly, I rubbed the blood onto the sleeve of my uniform's sleeve, The last thing I need is for someone to ask-'

"Did you...drink the blood of the Horsemen you killed?" Yu asked me.

I stared at him unbelievably, "...Ew, no. Their blood is disgusting. I can't stand it..."

As if remembering what I said about hunting animals for blood, Yu nodded and said no more.

I felt Mika's stare at the back of my head. He already knew about me hunting for animal blood...

(I would say this is fairly long chapter. I had an idea of putting a Yu and Sayo scene in this chapter, but I couldn't figure out where nor could i figure out how it would play out...?)