~?~

I kept staring outside my window after leaning up and waking up from my sleep.

"...What a...beautiful spring morning..."

Getting out of bed, I went to my closet and changed out of my silk, knee length nightgown, then into one of my outfits that Dante sowed for me while I was out training in the field yesterday.

After doing that, I softly hit my cheeks twice to wake up more. Going to my wardrobe, I looked into the mirror connected to it, then put on a small smile.

Exiting my room to go to the white bathroom, I brushed my teeth-making sure to brush my fangs well, I washed my face next, then brushed my mid-back length hair, and lastly, put on a wide smile.

Immediately going back to my stoic expression, I exited the bathroom. Walking down the stairs, passing by straightened picture frames, i rounded the corner to see Dante cooking omelets...and preparing to bake something as well.

"Dante, you know I do not eat anything other than meat."

"Yes, I know. This is for me mainly. The omelet is filled with a lot of rare meat.

I leaned against he left side of the door frame, "Still can't properly manifest in this world perfectly? You know you are powerful enough to do so. Why don't you?"

"...I have my reasons."

"I won't force you to tell me then," I said, then looked behind me to see the sunlight get brighter. "I'll be right back in an hour or so," I said, then leaned off the frame and went outside.

"Just be careful!" I heard Dante yell after me.

Though I was in the forest by now, running down the hill, I heard her.

Approaching a cliff, I readied to jump and I did-quite a far distance. Reaching my hands out, I latched onto two branches of a thick tree and climbed up it to the very top, like a spider monkey.

(*Smirk* Anyone get my reference?)

Once I was at the top, I enjoyed the spring breeze from above for a few seconds before jumping off the tip of the tree.

A wooden dummy popped in my way, which told me Dante had already set up the course.

"So you tried to catch me off guard...and knew I'd probably go for run every morning at dawn without taking you along...No matter..."

I turned my body downwards midair to stomp through the wooden dummy that was outlined to have a sword.

Landing on my feet and hands, I stood up and listened in for peculiar sounds since I knew was no longer in the barrier around my home.

A loud bang on the ground behind me made me fly off the ground and see what's behind me upside down: a horseman.

It's as if everything went in slow motion.

It swung it's arm at me, so I reached my hands down to push myself off its arm to turn my body upwards.

Landing back on my feet, I could barely keep my running pace intact with my feet. Seeing the trees as an opportunity, I jumped off the ground and on to the falling trees as the horseman tumbled behind me.

Nearly at the bottom of the hill, I jumped on one last tree to make a wider jump range.

Avoiding getting my clothing or some of my exposed skin scratched as I flew past the trees with the horseman behind me, I turned around to see it had opened its mouth. I grabbed its right horn with my left hand, swung it over me while casting the spell that made the golden pentagram appear.

In an instant, it exploded into cherry blossom petals and sparkles.

Somersaulting in the air to just do some freestyle exercise, I landed on the deserted streets of Shibuya without any casualties.

*Silence*

"...*Gasp* So awesome!"

Looking up, I saw an excited boy, he wore a "livestock" uniform.

My eyes narrowed and my heart hurt, I placed my right fist over my heart.

"M-Miss...?"

Shaking my head, my eyes softened at the boy and I walked towards him.

"Do not be afraid." Stopping a few good four or five steps away from him, I slid my right foot across the ground, and there appeared a white line, heading towards Second Shibuya.

"You aren't far from home run, little boy. Follow this line, and it will take you to a safe place."

He took a step back, "You expect me to immediately trust you after seeing you take a horseman down?! That doesn't mean I'm a foolish child. The vamps always take down horseman that be in their way! How do I not know you're lying and trying to send me back to Sanguinem?!"

My eyes widened at the boy's intelligence, 'He's smarter than he looks...That's a good trait to have in this deceiving, messed up world.'

"We're alike..." I said nonchalantly and in a daze...

"Huh?"

"You had to grow up fast...so did I...I was only twelve at the time..."

(Remember, this was before the prior knowledge knows now.)

"..I suppose you're right, lady. Anyway, where will this line take me and what is it?"

"It will take you to Second Shibuya District, and this line will protect you from all things that try to harm you. Feel free to run or take your time walking or run if you get scared or insecure along the way."

His face brightened, "R-really? That's where I heard one of the nobles say where this J.I.D.A thing is..Japanese Imperial Demon Army, right?"

I nodded.

"Well...I think I can trust you. Thank you, mysterious lady...By the way what's your name..and why don't you come along with me? Surely, you must be tired of fighting for however long you've been out here, right?"

"...I wish I could, little boy..but I can't. The person I care for their will lose his sight of what he wants if I'm around; plus, about the earlier impression, I am a vampire-and a human. I cannot give you my name, only what I go by-Angel of Salvation."

He had a deadpan look, "So what you're telling me is that not only you're a vampire and human, you're a freaking angel sent from Heaven, too? Heck, if that's the case, reign down God's wrath on those who've imprisoned us, made us feel despair, killed us off."

"...What do you mean by "us"?"

"I mean me, you, all humans who are and will suffer from the vampires. I mean, you may be a lot of things, but I'm sure you want to be a human, act like one, have emotions like one, and be accepted as one."

I hadn't realize my eyes had filled with tears, so I looked down to not let the boy see me in such a weak state.

"Little boy...you are right, but there is so much more to this picture...so much more that even I don't know about."

"...You might be right. Well. I'm a mere human boy, I can't do much, so I'm just gonna go to this Second Shibuya and make my life out of what I can while I'm still alive. See ya, Miss Angel!" the boy explained, then ran on the line in the direction of the district.

I stared at the boy with wide eyes as my tears stopped flowing down to soak in my mouth mask.

''...What a strangely smart child..." I mumbled to myself.

Looking around, I decided on taking the right way down the debris filled and wrecked street.

Usually, I don't train outside of the barrier...

Do I interfere with human or vampire activity? No, I remain in hiding. If either attempt to bother me if I'm seen, I quickly be on my way or create a diversion to sneak away.

'What to learn about today of the once human world?' I asked, looking at shattered and run down stores.

Entering one at random, I looked around the mess. Taking quick glances at things that didn't interest me, my gaze landed on an open book.

Picking it up, I turned to see it's title...

"..."The Queen's Sacrifice"?" I said aloud.

Opening the book, I began to read to summary on the back.

"...A Queen who can't be with the one she loves because of her status and what she is, an otherworldly creature is what this is about," I made my personal summary.

I dropped the book, then hugged my arms, "It only reminds me...of myself..."

~? Ends~

I jolted as my vision turned blurry, then cleared up again.

For some reason, the air felt tense as Guren, Kureto, Shinya, and Yu were talking.

Feeling the need to lighten up the mood, I decided to make a joke...

"What?" I said loud enough for them to hear me.

Hear me they did, and they looked at me.

"Kill everyone and take over the world because you know I'm capable of doing it?" I asked, looking around.

Kureto's eyes narrowed at me..seeming a little provoked...

I giggled, "I'm joking!"

"Sayomi," Mika said my name sternly.

I glanced at him, grinning a little, "That's not what they said."

"I'm concerned about your mentality," Mika mumbled to me

"...Oh! That's right!" Yu said suddenly, then approached me. "You are, well..kinda?, immortal, sooo do you know how to break Shinoa's possession?"

"...Call an exorcist," I said with a deadpan expression.

Kureto let out a chuckle at that, which made me lift up mu right eyebrow. 'Didn't take him for the type to laugh at a small joke. Maybe I missed something during my trip down Memory Lane...?''

"I'm being serious, Sayomi. Surely, you should know of something?"

"...I don't know the proper way to exercise a demon without hurting the host nor a different method of getting one out of a person. That person possessed, no offense, just needs to fight the demon through willpower and bravery."

"I agree with her," Shinya spoke. "Though you have piqued my interest, Sayomi; other than that recent time, have you ever been possessed?"

"Nope," I said, popping the 'p' while turning around, examining the scientific equipment in the room.

"Are you sure?"

"...You doubting me?"

"We're all possessed of something, whether it's a demon, a memory, the past. What's your demon?"

I turned my head slightly to the left, "...Love."

"What?"

I turned my head more to look at him, "You heard me," I spoke, then walked out of the lab. "Go check on Shinoa, Yu; I...need to go take care of something."

'No one knows love causes us a lot of emotional pain, the worst kind of pain I think there is.'

~Flashback~

Suddenly, a younger me jumped off a balcony, but Mika was quick to catch me.

"...What color do you think is death?"

Mika seemed bewildered by my question, "Well, if it were the color of your eyes, I wouldn't mind experiencing it."

"Makes me wonder...if Father felt the same way..about Mother..."

Mika stared at me with a frown...then smiled, "Hey, while we're here, I want to hear you play something on that piano."

He put me down, "...What would you like to hear?"

"Anything happy, even if it's childish."

I stared at him with an emotionless face. "But we are children."

He blinked twice before chuckling, "Right, I almost forgot. You, Me, and Akane act like adults for the younger ones of our family."

I nodded my head before jogging to the piano. Swiping the leaves and dust off the white piano, I say on it, then opened a long board that covered the piano keys.

I began to play a melody, then started to sing in Japanese.

(Euaru by Yanagi Nagi.)

~Flashback Ends~

I sat on the chair facing the piano in my dorm room.

"Shinoa is possessed..." I mumbled to myself.

Looking up from the keys, I stared at the vile of blood top.

"Even if I wanted to do something about it. I can't because I don't know the proper way of exercising a demon without harming something or someone."

My eyes narrowed at the label...

"Referring to Great Book won't help in era either..since it seems He remains silent."

I grabbed the vile, studying it.

"...How did you obtain this?"

"Some questions are best left unanswered."

"...Will this harm or kill me?"

"Only if you let it."

Popping the brown cork off with my left thumb, I glanced at her to my right cautiously.

She nodded her head, then I tilted my head and the bottle back, letting the strong iron run down my throat.

"...This is a part, and trial, of your demon."

~?~

I was walking down a sidewalk alone in a red peat coat, black knee length skirt, and red flats with ribbons at the top. My ponytail that didn't have any bangs out flowed in the light-from the falling leaves, I'm assuming fall wind. I'm going to also assume this was before the world had ended...

I knew I wasn't alone...There was somebody following her...or walking behind me.

"Sayomi, do you think I am someone to be trusted?" the person asked.

"If you're a friend of Mommy's, I don't see why not," I replied simply...then stopped walking. "But...I don't recall Mommy ever telling you my name..nor did she mention you to me either, Miss Hiragi. Daddy told me not to trust a organization with that last name...so I don't see why I should trust you."

"Haha..so mature for a child...just like I used to be...behind Guren's back..."

"...Who is Guren?"

"My lover...is what I'd like to say, but he thinks of me as an evil being now."

"...I pity you...is what I'd like to say, but I pity this Guren more, though I do not know him." I turned around, "Mahiru Hiragi, do not ever come near me again. Until I receiver further confirmation myself, I will not trust you."

She smiled, "Yes, ma'am. But can I ask you a question?"

I blinked, "You just did, but please, proceed."

"I know you're young, but...Have you ever fallen in love?"

I titled her head to the left, "...Well...would you describe that as a fuzzy feeling in your heart?"

"There are many more descriptions, but that's one way. So? Have you?"

"...No."

"Do not lie. It would only make things difficult for you," she spoke with a sickening sweet smile.

"No, I haven't fallen in love..." My eyes darkened, "Or..should I say lust, demon."

"For now, I, Mahiru, in control. And lust? My, oh my, what would a little girl like you know about such a word. It makes me wonder how much exactly did Estelle teach you."

"Sayo!" shouted Akane and Mika.

Though I realized they were approaching, I didn't acknowledge it by turning around and responding to them.

"Quit your follies. What do you want from me?"

"...Are you rushing me because of that little boy and girl are approaching?"

"..."

"...How would you feel I got rid of them? Because of your attachment to those humans, they made you feel emotions, those are shackles that hold you back from getting more powerful."

"..."

"Did I hit a nerve?"

"..."

"Come on, answer me. You wouldn't want your friends to meet me, right? Actually, I can't afford to be seen by them. Hopefully, we-"

"Of course you hit a nerve...It's because I'm human..that you hit a nerve..."

"You're a hard one to crack. We're alike, Sayo...Both destined to sacrifice for love ones and be corrupted by demons, despair, and false self-assurance."

I tensed up, then Mahiru disappeared when I blinked.

I let my head down, "False self-convince..." My tiny hands turned to fists, "I can't help..but agree with her."

"Sayo," Akane exhaled, regaining her breath.

["Forget,"] I whispered.

"Huh? Forget?" Mika questioned.

"Forget, forget, forget," I kept repeating.

Suddenly, everything went black, and a woman appeared. She was on her knees, being held by chains wrapped around her wrists.

The woman..looked like me with the golden eyes, but her hair was curly, shoulder length, and dark auburn.

"So...you're gonna keep making the unpleasant memories die...until you die yourself? How selfish...To be human is to love," she spoke with a bittersweet smile...

~? Ends~

Finding myself back in the laboratory, I looked around frantically as I broke into a cold sweat from experiencing...that memory I had no recollection of...

Seeing my comrades surround a gurney, I squinted my eyes to see it was Shinoa, whose eyes were a bright drastic color, and she was breathing unevenly.

"Impossible! This is the beginning of a transformation of a vampire!" Mikaela shouted.

A cold shiver ran up my back. For me, time stopped and I felt like I couldn't move...I was under pressure.

(*Ding* *Ding* XD)

'Transformation of a vampire?! Dante! What do we do?!'

'I'm just as unsure as you. The first progenitor is coming! You are strong enough to fight him, but I suggest you don't fight him unless he physically provokes you!'

I stared at Shinoa's changing aura, I could see Shigama (scythe form) hovering over her as if it's acting like a fiery barrier.

Holding my hands up to where they're facing each other, the star on my left hand shined a gold color and I pulled Himezuru-sa from it.

"SAYOMI, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" Yu yelled at me, getting in front of me.

"Yu! Move! I need to cut-"

He pushed me away, "You're not cutting her! There's gotta be another way to save her!"

"Take her away," I heard Kureto order.

I stuck Himezuru-sa in the concrete, putting my hands on his shoulders. "Yuichiro. Listen to me. If you and they let me, I can try to save her. I'm not 100% sure if it'll-"

Yuichiro slapped my arms away from him...it really did hurt..but I don't mean by physical pain.

"If you're not 100% sure it'll work, then I don't want you touching her. Your amount of power is so dramatic, you might just kill her!" he argued.

About to counterargument that, I felt a hand on my right shoulder; glancing over it, I saw Mika with a sullen face..

I glanced down, '...Like Mika, I'm not getting through to him.'

Glancing back up at Yu's eyes, this time there is anger..and a hidden sadness..in my eyes.

"Fine," I said coldly, then walked pass him.

As I was walking, all I could think of was getting away from him before I did something I regret.

*Crack*

Stopping in my footsteps, I looked down to see nothing wrong...

Pulling the lace of my right thigh high boot away from my skin...I didn't see my leg...

I saw ash...

Taking a step forward, my knee cracked like pottery and turned to ash...

"What the..." I mumbled.

Looking at my hands that are also cracking, I put them on my face to feel the same thing was happening.

"Sayo-"

"Don't..don't come any closer," I said to Mika as I began to hyperventilate.

"Jealousy," I heard Dante say on front of me. She made her presence known in the room, but she still couldn't..or wouldn't manifest properly. "You let it into your heart. You must face the consequences. "

Quickly, my skin began to crack more and turn into ash. Sand formed around me, as if trying to protect me from Yu and Mika―who were trying to get to me from what I could hear over the noise with my intense hearing―while a door beneath me opened down, revealing darkness.

I fell through it, screaming while my body continued turning into ash...

(I looked at the new chapters [74-76] of OnS, and I must say..a lot is about to go down; this is the perfect opportunity to wrap up this story. As you read, Sayomi let jealousy into her heart, meaning Shigama Doji was trying to provoke that. Now, it may have not seen like Sayomi was jealous, but she was because she felt like Yu was pushing her away from him by protecting and caring for Shinoa in a romantic sense. The memories from earlier expresses her deepest, true demon: love―Suri, Sayo's ancestor, does represent that because she told her husband―who she has yet to give more info about―to sacrifice her out of love in order to ensure their generation [similar to Guren wanting to bring everyone who died from the virus 8 years ago] and help Sayo in the future thanks to the Seeress powers in the Ruby family line. Love brings joy and harm, but Sayo is scared of the harm it brings, despite her having to accept she is in love with both Mika and Yu, due to her insecurity of close ones leaving her, a reason why she hurriedly tried to save Shinoa. I know it's complicated to understand, but process the info slowly if you can.)