After Jaden got his fill from crying his heart out, they all eventually went to his dorm room where they could have more privacy. Elena sat on his bed with her adopted son's head resting in her lap as he slept soundly, while gently stroking his hair. She smiled down at the young man, happy to finally be together again with the boy she had been searching over the last four years for. "I used to hold him like this all the time when he was younger. Whenever he had one of his famous fits, I would hum to him a song my mother used to sing to me. It would put him straight to sleep every time. I'm glad this time it's a happy rest though." Said Elena as she couldn't take her eyes off of him. She was scared that if she did, she would lose him all over again.
Alexis and the rest sat silently around her as they let Jaden enjoy this quiet moment. Alexis couldn't help but blush as she saw the blissful expression on Jaden's face. She had never seen him so serene before. He was always under some kind of stress and never got to relax. She thought she knew what he was like when he was happy, but it turns out most of those times were probably lies. Jaden had a bad habit of smiling, even when he felt like crying or screaming. But right now, she could tell that this was the most peaceful she had ever seen Jaden sleep. He looked like a child with how he slept in his mother's lap without a worry in the world.
"Miss Yuki? Can I ask you a question?" Said Syrus who raised his hand, almost as if he was asking a teacher. Elena giggled as she addressed him. "Elena is fine, dear. What's the question?" Syrus shuffled around nervously, scared to ask because he felt like they intruded enough on their privacy as is. "Do you know what Jaden's life was like before he ended up with you? How did he wind up at the orphanage?" Asked Syrus, who was already starting to feel guilty for bringing it up. He felt bad that he was invading Jaden's past like this, but after learning all they did about his best friend today, his brain kept begging for more answers.
Elena's delicate soft face fell grim as she didn't know how to respond. "That's a tough one. I know how we found him, but I don't know how he ended up like that. Some police officers called us in about a missing boy who refused to speak. It was a cold winter night, and police and firefighters were called to a burning building. Everything was torched and all other occupants were found dead. Except Jaden. It was almost as if the flames didn't touch him as his skin wasn't burned, but he was covered in ash. And most importantly, covered in blood." Anastasia raised an eyebrow after hearing this.
She had her hunches, but Jaden might have actually awakened before he turned sixteen. Or at least, something might have triggered some of his powers to prematurely spawn in that moment. But that was just her hypothesis. Her guess was just as good as anyone else's. Only Jaden knew the real answer. "So, that's all? He didn't tell you anything before that?" Asked Syrus. Elena shook her head. "The police interrogated him, but he wouldn't say a word. A psychologist visited him while he was in the hospital and said his mind must have mentally blocked out the memories to protect his subconscious. Whatever he went through, it wasn't good." She said as she continued stroking his hair, only stopping for a moment as Jaden groaned and shuffled before she started back up again.
"When he got to the orphanage, Jaden took everything and everyone as a threat. It was almost like he was a rabid dog that hadn't been trained yet. I've seen some pretty defiant kids when I worked as a social worker, but none with a temper like his. He gave me a run for my money, but I loved the challenge. Maybe that's why I was so drawn to him." Alexis couldn't help but notice the lab coat she wore. It seemed pretty out of place for someone who claims to have worked as a social worker. "Did you have a change in career, Elena? I'm assuming that lab coat isn't a bold fashion statement." Said Alexis curiously. Elena chuckled, impressed by the young girls perceptiveness. "I can tell you're not an Obelisk student for nothing. You have sharp instincts!"
She slowly lifted Jaden's head up off of her lap so she could scoot out from underneath him, and carefully placed a pillow underneath his head as to not wake him up. She dug in her pocket and pulled out an ID card with her face and name on it, and the ID was for some genetics lab in Domino City. "After Jaden started living with me, I was curious about his origins. I knew he wasn't any ordinary boy. My guess was that there was something special about his DNA. I couldn't bring myself to believe that an eight year old caught in the middle of a fire, didn't get a single injury. My guess? He was burned, but his body healed. I noticed that with all the fights Jaden got into when he was a kid, he healed incredibly fast. And his strength was surprising to me. How on Earth could an eight year old boy help lift up a piano when two grown men struggled do it themselves? It seems impossible, right?!"
They all sweat dropped when they saw the sparkle in Elena's eyes as she continued to talk about the mysteries that was Jaden's genetics. They all knew the truth about Jaden and why he had those supernatural abilities, but it was clear that Elena was still oblivious to it. Or so they thought. Elena looked at her son and brushed her hand across his cheek noting how much paler he looked and how cold to the touch his skin felt. Almost like he wasn't even alive. "He's a vampire." She smiled as she all saw all of their shocked expressions. They didn't think she would just blurt that out so casually!
"From your reactions, I can tell that you all knew that too! When I saw his eyes, it took me by surprise so I played dumb about me thinking they were contacts. I just didn't want to scare him in case he wasn't ready to tell me yet. His transformation must have finished recently, am I right?" She asked her son's friends who reluctantly nodded. "H-how do you know so much about all this?!" Asked Syrus, dumbfoundedly. "I wanted to learn everything I could about Jaden's condition so I could help him out if I ever met him again. After I officially started my work as a geneticist, my research caught the attention of the Vatican Order who wanted to recruit me into their special divisions research group. So I agreed, I worked with them for two years while I continued to study my science but now, also about vampires."
Elena felt movement next to her as Jaden sat up groggily while he yawned, displaying his fangs for everyone to see. But no one was more intrigued than Elena who scooted a little closer to get a better look. "Elena, you've always had a bad habit about being too open. You don't have to answer every question someone asks you; you know… You'd be the first person to die in a spy action movie." Elena frowned and puffed out her cheeks after hearing Jaden call her by her first name. She grabbed him by the cheeks and tugged hard causing his eyes to water as he pulled away and rubbed his cheeks which now stung. "Oh come on! You just called me mom not that long ago! You can call me that again if you want~" She said in a singsong tone as she poked at him, teasing the now blushing teenager. "I said that in the spare of the moment! I got excited since I haven't seen you in so long and it just slipped out!" Jaden said while trying to hide his blush from his mother figure who still continued to tease him.
Jaden finally had the nerve to look at her in the eyes, embarrassed by his monstrous appearance. "So you know? I hope that doesn't mean you think differently of me now." He said as his bangs covered his eyes, but Elena cupped his face in the palms of her hands as she made him look at her again, smiling at him with her eyes beaming with nothing but love. "Of course not, silly. You're still my little Jaden to me. Human, or vampire." Jaden felt his lip quiver as his eyes started to water yet again but he quickly dried it off with his sleeve, but while he covered his face he couldn't stop himself from grinning. "Thanks Elena. And it really is good to have you back." He sniffled as he put his arm down and grinned at her. But without hesitation, she pulled his upper lip even higher so she could get a better view of his fangs making his face and ears turn red.
"Oh wow, I've never seen the real thing in the flesh before! They are so intriguing! Jaden, remind me later to run a few tests, okay? I want to analyze a few things." Elena said with a glint of mischief in her eyes. Ever since he was a kid, Elena's curiosity was always insatiable like a cats. She would always conduct mini experiments on him and pretend they were playing a game. Jaden pulled away as he covered his mouth and scowled at her. "And just like that, you ruin the moment. Some things never change it seems." Elena laughed as she threw her arm around him and placed a kiss on his cheek. "You're right about that. But you haven't changed either, you silly boy. You're still just as bashful as ever."
Jaden cleared his throat as he turned his face away from his friends, embarrassed by the show of affection Elena was showering him with. He might as well have been sitting naked in front of them all by how embarrassed he was. Alexis giggled, seeing how cute Jaden's reactions were to his foster mom's constant fawning when her PDA vibrated in her pocket, and so did everyone else's. They had simultaneously received emails from their parents saying that the assembly was over and that they wanted to meet up with them for dinner.
"Well, we'll leave you guys alone for now so you can catch up." Said Alexis as they all stood up to leave, but she hesitated as she walked over to Jaden and kissed him on the lips right in front of Elena who covered her face, peaking through her fingers with a blush spread across her cheeks. He kissed her back and smiled at her, but now even more embarrassed because he knew Elena would never let him live that down. Anastasia, not wanting to be out shown again also walked up to him and pulled him away from Alexis, to also place a kiss on his lips. This time making Elena squeal with delight. She didn't know her son was such a playboy! Elena's eyes fell on Syrus, half expecting him to give him a kiss as well. "What about you? Are you also my son's lover?"
Syrus jumped up with his ears red and his mouth agape as he waved his arms in front of him in denial. "N-no! I'm just his best friend! I don't swing like that! A-anyways! Bye you two! Have fun!" Said Syrus as he quickly left the room to meet up with his parents at the mess hall where they planned to have dinner together. All of the dorms had prepared a giant feast for the families that came to visit and to throw a party for everyone to enjoy. Soon after, Elena and Jaden were alone again.
"Hey, if you're hungry, you don't have to stay here with me. You should go with Syrus and have dinner with everyone else, cause I bet your appetite is still just as big as mine used to be. It's not like I can eat anything they're serving in the cafeteria anyways." Said Jaden as he rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile on his face. Elena stood in front of him making him gulp as she looked at him for a couple of minutes without saying a word, which made Jaden nervous. "When did you grow up? It's strange to me. You look like my little boy, but you're so different now. It makes me happy, but it also makes me sad. I missed so much time with you. You're not a kid anymore, are you?" She said with a sad gaze on him.
Jaden felt a pain in his heart seeing that sad expression on his normally smiling adoptive mother's face. He quickly stood up and pulled her into a hug and buried her face in his chest with his strong arms wrapped around her. She staggered for a moment, surprised by how firm his grip was and feeling safe in his arms. She hugged him back with her eyes tearing up as she looked up at him with her signature angelic smile. "You really have grown taller than me… Hey, Jaden? Can you do me a favor?" Jaden looked down at her before he responded. "Yeah, what is it?" "Can you bite me?" She asked shyly. Jaden felt his face turn hot as his grip on her loosened but he still held onto her. "W-what are you saying?! Please tell me you're joking like you always do?" He said as he gulped. The idea of biting his adoptive mother made him feel uncomfortable, but his imagination couldn't help but be interested as he imagined what her blood would taste like, causing his mouth to salivate.
Elena glared at him as she stomped on his foot causing him to jump back and clutch at his toes which throbbed with pain. "You better not be having pervy thoughts! I only ask for one, it's apart of my research. I can't write a thesis on something I haven't experienced! And also, because I know it signifies a forever promise. When a human offers their blood to a vampire, it signifies a promise to always be with them. I don't want you to ever feel like I am going to abandon you ever again. So if we do this, it'll give me some peace of mind. So for me, can you do it?" Said Elena with her eyes shimmering. Jaden's gaze softened as he realized how much it really meant to her, and he didn't want to upset her by denying her request. He pulled her back into an embrace and let his hunger take control, his eyes glowing with a red luster as he pulled her collar down, with his face only inches away from her neck.
"Are you sure you want me to do this? We can't ever go back if I do." Elena wrapped her arms around him as she allowed her eyes to flutter close. "Go ahead. I'm ready…" She said as she tightly gripped at his blazer. Jaden couldn't hold himself back anymore as he gently bit down into her neck and allowed her blood to flow into his mouth and down his throat. Elena gave a weak gasp as her legs gave out, but Jaden helped to support her up. She didn't know how to describe the sensation. It hurt only a little, but it was a good pain. She could feel him taking a piece of her and she could also feel that she was becoming a part of him. And that thought alone made her heart sore. Because now, she would never be without him again.
Jaden let her go after getting his fill of her blood and released her while he stood in front of her, breathless. Elena raised her hand up to her neck and could feel the two small puncture wounds he had left behind. She giggled as she smiled up at her son. "I've taken care of you since you were a little boy. But now, it's your turn to take care of me. Promise?" She said with her pinky extended out to him. Jaden smiled back down at the smaller woman in front of him and clasped her pinky with his own. "I promise."
It was the next day and all of the parents were at the docks with their kids, saying their final goodbyes before they left. Jaden walked over to his friends with Elena in tow as he joined their group. Alexis turned to him and waved at him as he approached, her parents standing behind her. "Jaden! I'm glad you showed up! Mom, dad, this is my boyfriend, Jaden Yuki!" Said Alexis as she walked over to him to hold his hand. Jaden sweat dropped as he could feel the icy stare of her father as he sized him up, not impressed at all by what he saw. Not that he thought Jaden was a bad guy or anything, but he couldn't help but be protective of his little girl. Mrs. Rhodes walked over and unlike her husband, smiled at him warmly as she shook his hand.
"It's nice to finally meet the boy my daughter talks about nonstop! If I hadn't known better, I thought that yesterday you were trying to avoid us. Which I hope you weren't. That would be sleazy and disrespectful. And you're not that kind of guy, right?" She said with the grip on his hand getting tighter. So it seems Alexis's whole family already didn't like him. Her parents were actually kind of scary. At least he knew where Alexis got her temperament from. He nervously chuckled as he forced on a smile. "Of course not ma'am. I was busy yesterday, that's all. But I couldn't let you guys leave without meeting me first. That would have been very rude."
Mrs. Rhode's grip on his hand loosened as she finally let go, happy with his answer. "That's what I like to hear young man! Now, you better take good care of my Alexis while you guys are here! And no kanoodling until after marriage! I am I understood?!" She said as she wagged a finger at them, causing them both to blush profusely. Alexis covered her face with her hand, trying to hide her rosy cheeks.
"There will be no kanoodling of any kind mother. Don't worry." Alexis gave her parents one final hug and waved to them as they got onto the ferry. Jaden turned to Elena with a sad expression, knowing she was going to have to leave very soon too. He was upset that he didn't have enough time to spend with her but was still grateful for the time they did share together. "I guess this is where we say goodbye?" He said with his voice quivering, trying not to cry.
Elena giggled as she saw his expression and flicked him on the forehead catching him by surprise. "I actually have one more surprise for you! I'm not leaving today. Why?... Drumroll please!" She said while mimicking playing the drums with her fingers before she gave the punchline. "I got a job here! So I'll be able to see you every day until summer vacation starts!" Jaden blinked, trying to process what she said until it finally sunk in and he hugged her tight. "That's amazing! I can't believe it!" Elena hugged him back, enjoying the affection from her son. "I just wanted to see your friends parents off before they left. But since I've done that, I have real business to get too. I have to go meet up with my new employer. But after I'm done with my meeting let's go get a bite to eat. I'm starving!" She gave her son one last kiss on the cheek before she ran off, waving behind her as she headed towards the school.
Anastasia walked up too, but without her mother. Jaden turned his attention towards her, wondering where the current queen of vampires was. "Where's your mom? I thought she wanted to talk to me." He asked. Not that he wanted to meet her, but he was hoping she'd say something along the lines of she left early so he could avoid the topic all together. "My mother is back at the school talking with Chancellor Sheppard. She extended her stay another week. She's one of the school's benefactors and she's discussing with him about making a donation, among other things. So she'll just have to talk with you when she get's the chance. She's very excited to meet my fiancé after all!" Anastasia said with a blush as she walked over to Jaden and clung tightly to his arm. Jaden gulped as he could feel Alexis's icy aura and found himself stuck in the middle as both girls pulled on him back and forth. Oh brother, here they go again.
Sartorius was back in his office at the White Dormitories filling out paperwork regarding some of the new members of the Society of Light, with Maynard watching protectively over his shoulder. "You've done very well, my loyal dog. We've gotten so many new recruits since you successfully acclimated Chazz into our organization!" Maynard's ears perked up and his tail started to wag after receiving praise from his master. They were then interrupted by a knock at the door, making Sartorius put away the documents and cleaned up his desk, making sure it looked nice and tidy for his honored guest.
"Please be a good dog and open up the door for our guest. We wouldn't want to keep them waiting." Maynard bowed to him as he walked over to the door to let the person inside. The woman walked over to Sartorius's desk and sat in the white leather chair adjacent to him with an angelic smile on her face. Sartorius smiled back at her as he leaned forward in his chair. "You must be the person I hired to help us out with our little project. You're a very established and esteemed scientist, and I have no doubt that your gifted mind will benefit us greatly. It's nice to have you aboard and collaborating with us Miss… I apologize, what's your name again? How rude of me to forget." Said Sartorius with his fake smile unwavering on his face. The woman in front of him pushed her glasses higher up on her nose before she spoke. "Elena! Elena Yuki! Thank you for offering me such a wonderful opportunity! I look forward to working with you!"