Disclaimer: I do not own Owari no Seraph (Seraph of the End). I write this for your enjoyment only. This story is a continuation of my fem!Yuu AU series and is an alternate version of the Nagoya arc with differences from the original; please refer to the footnotes at the end. Since this story is also a direct sequel to my first two fics "Who She is Within" and "Broken Bridges, Mended Hearts", I strongly recommend reading them first before starting this one because I will be making many references to them. Once again, I would like to thank my beta reader, ResidentialPsycho, for her help in making this fic possible. Enjoy and please review!

Broken Bridges, Mended Hearts II

Chapter 1: What I Have Given You

November 8, 2020

Japanese Imperial Demon Army Headquarters, Shinjuku Branch Library

Yuichiro Hyakuya exhaled sharply, frustration pooling in her chest as she set the book down and reached for the cup of hot chocolate on the table beside her. Sipping the rich, warm beverage, she couldn't shake the weight of her thoughts. Since her release from the hospital, the raven-haired girl had devoted nearly every spare moment to the JIDA headquarters library, poring over countless tomes on vampires. Her goal was singular: to uncover anything—everything—she could about the monsters now waging war against humanity for dominion over their world.

The library, a treasure trove of knowledge, brimmed with information about vampires, and as Yuichiro flipped through page after page, she found herself both intrigued and unsettled. Many of the things she once believed—tales of their aversion to garlic, holy water, and crosses—were mere myths. The truth was far more complex; while vampires did have a profound weakness to sunlight, the consequences varied. Young, unseasoned vampires would be obliterated instantaneously under its harsh rays, whereas their older, more powerful counterparts could survive but would suffer excruciating pain.

This last detail struck her as particularly peculiar, as it clarified why older vampires such as Krul Tepes, Ferid Bathory, and Crowley Eusford seemed incapable of embracing contemporary hairstyles. They were trapped in hair fashions that prevailed during the eras when they were born and transformed, periods that favored lengths starkly different from those of the present day.

Though Yuichiro had grown fond of long hair, she couldn't fathom the notion of being unable to cut it as she pleased. The idea that a vampire's hair could return to its original length in mere minutes, while a human's took months, struck her as both bizarre and unsettling. *1* Strangely enough, she found herself feeling a pang of sympathy for any vampire burdened with a terrible haircut prior to their turning; the thought of being eternally bound to a poor hairstyle was almost comical.

However, that lighthearted moment vanished as she remembered the reason for her research. Despite the intriguing revelations she had unearthed, none of the books she had perused thus far provided her with the vital answer she sought: a way to restore her orphanage brother, Mikaela Hyakuya, to humanity.

As thoughts of Mika flooded her mind, Yuichiro's smile faltered. The guilt she carried from leaving him behind in Sanguinem all those years ago was a persistent ache, one that haunted her as she often wondered what he might have become had he survived and aged alongside her. It was a cruel twist of fate that she would discover the shocking truth amid the chaos of battle, when she had run her sword through the blond young man attempting to kill Guren during the Battle of Shinjuku.

Despite the years that had passed, Yuichiro recognized him immediately upon getting a clear look at his face, but he was no longer the boy she remembered. The last time she had seen her orphanage brother, he was bleeding from a gaping chest wound inflicted by their benefactor, his right arm severed beyond hope of recovery—injuries that would have been fatal for any human.

Yet the young man before her appeared vibrantly alive, in perfect health, with both arms intact and sharp fangs protruding from his lips.

Yuichiro desperately attempted to dismiss the sight as a mere figment of her imagination, a stress-induced hallucination brought on by the chaos of battle. But when Mikaela attempted to abduct her, insisting she was being used by the "humans," the horrifying truth settled in—her brother was no longer human; he had become a vampire, one of the very beings she had come to despise, the same kind that had obliterated everything she cherished before Guren Ichinose rescued her.

"So here you are again. I figured I'd find you here when you weren't in the women's dormitory."

Startled, Yuichiro looked up to see her squad leader, Shinoa, whom she often thought of as the annoying little sister she never wanted, standing before her.

"Shinoa, I didn't hear you come in. How long have you been there?"

"Oh, just about five minutes. You were so engrossed in your reading that you didn't even notice my arrival."

Irritated that Shinoa had intruded on her solitude, Yuichiro shot her an annoyed glance.

"What is it, Shinoa? Can't you see I'm busy? If it's not urgent, please leave me alone."

Shinoa chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Yuichiro's irritation.

"Come now, that's no way to address your squad leader. I came to check on you, and if I recall, your guardian mentioned that you should be resting until you're fully recovered from your injuries."

Yuichiro scoffed. "In case you and Guren haven't noticed, I'm not some fragile little girl. You also know that our demon contractors enhance our natural healing. I'm perfectly fine now."

"That's for the doctor to determine, not you," Shinoa replied, deliberately omitting the real reason behind Yuichiro's coma and her near-total amnesia of the Battle of Shinjuku.

Sensing Yuichiro's suspicion, Shinoa decided to shift the topic.

"Anyway, what are you reading? Something scandalous?" she teased, winking as she stepped closer and snatched the book Yuichiro had been studying, flipping it open to where her bookmark lay.

What Shinoa found was not the salacious tale she anticipated but a segment detailing human-vampire conversion. The playful grin evaporated from her face as she glanced at Yuichiro, instantly recognizing her friend's intent.

"Yuu… have you been holed up here trying to find a way to make Mika human again? If that's the case, I might have some valuable information. Do you want to hear it?"

At those words, Yuichiro's eyes sparkled with hope.

"Really? Please, tell me what you know!" she urged.

Shinoa's laughter returned, tinged with affection.

"Aww, you can be so adorable and eager when you want something!"

Yuichiro scowled, frustration tightening her features. "Stop playing around, Shinoa!" she snapped, her voice cold and commanding. To her astonishment, her squad leader obeyed without hesitation.

This rare compliance left her momentarily stunned; Shinoa only heeded her requests when the situation demanded utmost seriousness, making this exception all the more unsettling.

Regaining her composure, Shinoa continued, her demeanor becoming serious. "First, it's uncommon for a human to become a vampire; they prefer to maintain a tight-knit society with limited numbers. More importantly, only the noble vampires have the authority to turn a human."

Yuichiro's shock was palpable.

"You mean it wasn't by chance that Mika was turned? He was chosen?"

As she uttered this, memories of Mikaela's pained expression when she had asked him if he was no longer human flooded her mind. Yuichiro knew that he, like her, loathed vampires and would never agree to be transformed unless it was a desperate bid for survival—to continue searching for her.

Shinoa seemed to sense Yuichiro's turmoil. "Do you know of any noble who might have chosen him?

Yuichiro nodded, her thoughts drifting back to Ferid Bathory.

"I think I understand now. Initially, I believed Mika was turned against his will, but I've begun to question that. There must have been a compelling reason for him to accept his fate."

Though Yuu withheld the specifics of those reasons, both she and Shinoa were all too aware of them.

"That wouldn't surprise me," Shinoa replied. "In reality, very few humans, if any, would willingly choose to become a vampire. Unlike us, they're bound to a life of blood, trapped in a perpetual thirst. They can't savor food or drink, can't bask in sunlight, cannot venture outside without protection, and are robbed of the ability to procreate or experience the natural progression of life."

"I know."

"Did you also realize that humans who are turned against their will often find themselves chosen because they were unfortunate enough to catch a vampire's fancy? When a vampire fixates on a human, they pursue them with an intensity that borders on obsession."

"But didn't you say that vampire law restricts the turning of humans to nobles?"

"Yes, but it's crucial to understand that vampires break laws as frequently as we do when their desires run deep. While only nobles are sanctioned to turn humans—specifically to replace fallen soldiers—this rule has been flouted repeatedly when a vampire finds love in a human and cannot bear to lose them to time and mortality. If that human reciprocates the vampire's feelings, they may consent to the transformation. But for most, the transformation is unwelcome, leading to a profound hatred for both their creators and for humanity itself, which serves as a painful reminder of the life they've lost."

As shocking as Shinoa's insights were, they made a twisted sort of sense to Yuichiro. She had long pondered why the vampires in Sanguinem treated humans with such disdain, assuming it was a matter of superiority, viewing humans as mere animals meant to serve and feed them.

Yet, Shinoa's explanation illuminated a deeper truth: the contempt many vampires held for humans likely stemmed from a hidden envy. Did Mikaela struggle with these feelings as well?

"What about the common vampire soldiers? How are they chosen?"

"They are typically turned by nobles who scour battlefields during times of war for dying human soldiers abandoned by their comrades. These vampires also come to despise us, fueled by the betrayal they experience from their own kind."

Noticing Yuichiro slip into silence, deep in thought, Shinoa pressed on.

"You know, it's our duty to eliminate vampires—all of them."

The other girl shook her head. Not long ago, Yuu might have echoed Shinoa's sentiment, but with the newfound knowledge that Mika was alive, her perspective had shifted dramatically.

"No, not him. For so long, I believed Mika was gone, but now that I know he lives, you must help me find a way to restore his humanity."

Shinoa's expression turned somber, clearly anticipating this response.

"Regrettably, there's currently no known method to reverse vampirism. To my knowledge, no vampire has ever regained their humanity. Believe it or not, army policy dictates the execution of any soldier turned by the enemy. My brothers often refer to these as 'mercy killings,' under the delusion that we are sparing them. Personally, I think its a load of crap; the higher-ups simply refuse to invest the effort needed to discover a cure for vampirism." *2*

"Oh… I see…"

Sensing the disappointment settling over Yuichiro, Shinoa made an effort to uplift her spirits, unwilling to let her subordinate lose all hope.

"However, that doesn't mean there isn't a way for a vampire to reclaim their humanity. I firmly believe a solution to change Mika back exists somewhere out there. We simply need to find it."

Yuichiro couldn't suppress a smile at Shinoa's words. Her squad leader could be an infuriating nuisance at times, but Yuu had to acknowledge Shinoa's remarkable ability to inspire hope.

As if reading her thoughts, Shinoa reached for the gold heart-shaped locket that hung around Yuichiro's neck, delicately turning it between her fingers.

"I've never seen you this hopeful, Yuu. It's as if you've discovered a new reason to live. Tell me, is this charming piece a gift from your dashing prince?"

Understanding that Shinoa referred to Mikaela, who was indeed as handsome and graceful as a prince in her eyes, Yuichiro felt a blush creep onto her cheeks.

"Yes… he gave it to me as a birthday gift when I turned twelve."

"It's real gold, isn't it? And I bet the ruby in the center is authentic too! The craftsmanship is stunning; how on earth did Mika manage to get something this exquisite in Sanguinem?"

"Well… he bought it."

"How? This locket must have cost a fortune! No offense, but I doubt livestock children have that kind of wealth."

"They don't. And Mika didn't either. He acquired it from our vampire benefactor, not with money, but with his blood."

"Oh…" Shinoa gasped, releasing the locket.

Yuichiro closed her eyes, clutching the locket tightly against her heart.

"I treasure this locket very much, not because it's real gold but because it came from Mikaela, because he risked his life for it. The noble he bought it from was very wealthy and the more valuable his gifts and favors were, the more blood he expected in payment. And he almost sucked Mika dry for this locket."

Shinoa inhaled sharply, taken aback by Yuichiro's revelation. Since their first encounter, Yuichiro had been remarkably guarded about her past, so hearing her divulge something so personal surprised Shinoa; it indicated that Yuichiro was starting to place her trust in her.

"Yuichiro… you don't genuinely consider Mikaela a brother, do you?" she asked, curiosity tinging her voice.

The other girl blushed, clearly uncertain about how to respond.

"Well, I…" Yuu fidgeted, caught off guard by the question when a voice crackled over the library intercom.

"Special Private Yuichiro Hyakuya, report to the first office immediately."

"Hmm? I wonder what Guren wants now?" Yuu mused, her earlier discomfort vanishing.

Shinoa shook her head. "No, it's likely the Hiragi family who has summoned you."

"The Hiragis? You mean the leaders of the Demon Army that helped restore Japan after it fell into chaos?"

Shinoa nodded. "You really shouldn't keep them waiting. Go now…"

With a sigh, Yuichiro rose from her seat. As she neared the door, a thought struck her, prompting her to turn back to her squad leader.

"Wait a minute, Shinoa, isn't Hiragi your last name? And Shinya's too?"

As if in response, Shinoa laughed lightly. "Ah, so you've finally uncovered my secret! Took you long enough! I'm not just a sergeant; I'm practically royalty!" she quipped before her tone shifted to seriousness. "Nonetheless, if I'm to be honest, my father and brothers can be incredibly intense and judgmental, so tread carefully, okay?"

Yuichiro felt a surge of alarm at her squad leader's insinuation. Was Shinoa truly suggesting that her own kin were wolves cloaked in sheep's garb? If circumstances had allowed, Yuu would have pressed for clarity, but the weight of duty bore down on her, reminding her it was unwise to keep the Hiragi elite waiting. Thus, she merely nodded in grim acknowledgment and exited the library, silence wrapping around her like a shroud.

SSSSSS

After departing from the library, Yuichiro was making her way past the courtyard of the JIDA Shinjuku branch headquarters, intent on reaching the first office, when a voice suddenly pierced the quiet morning.

"What's the rush, Yuu? Where do you think you're headed so early in the day?"

Startled, Yuichiro gasped quietly and turned to find Guren standing closely behind her. Clad in a fresh JIDA uniform—his previous one shredded during the Battle of Shinjuku—Guren's sudden appearance caught her off guard, making her realize how preoccupied she had been, failing to notice him lurking in her haste.

"Guren? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be recovering? From what I saw and heard, you took quite the beating out there."

Guren flashed a smirk, his expression betraying a sense of satisfaction at having captured her full attention.

"I appreciate your concern, Yuu," he began, his tone dripping with mockery, "but I'm not so fragile that I need an entire week to recuperate like you do. Now, enlighten me—what's so urgent that you're in such a hurry to meet the Hiragis?"

Yuichiro's brow furrowed into a scowl. She was no stranger to her guardian's sardonic jabs; however, today his tone felt particularly grating, and her irritation bubbled just below the surface.

"What, did you expect me to just ignore them?" she shot back, her voice laced with a mixture of frustration and defiance.

Instead of countering her retort, Guren advanced with a deliberate grace, his movements reminiscent of a sleek panther poised over its unsuspecting prey. An involuntary shiver danced down Yuichiro's spine, awakening an instinctive urge to back away. Yet, she held her ground, resolute in her refusal to reveal even the slightest hint of vulnerability.

As Guren narrowed the space between them, Yuichiro felt the searing heat radiating from his body, a palpable tension that coiled like smoke in the air surrounding them. Leaning in, his breath feathered against her ear, igniting a swirl of conflicting emotions as he encircled her waist with an arm—a gesture that felt both protectively reassuring and unsettlingly invasive, stirring a tempest of conflicting emotions within her.

Goosebumps rippled across Yuichiro's skin, and a soft gasp escaped her lips, her cheeks igniting with warmth as Guren's fingers traced a languid path from her right shoulder to the delicate curve of her left lower back. His touch was electric, igniting a tempest of sensations that danced tantalizingly with the shadows of her unease. She felt the weight of his fingers glide over the scars etched by Ferid Bathory's merciless assault—painful reminders of a past she had battled so fiercely to transcend.

Yet, in this moment of unexpected intimacy, anxiety surged through Yuichiro's veins—how could Guren possess such intimate knowledge of her scars? He had never seen them, yet an unsettling awareness radiated from him, likely gleaned from conversations with Sayuri and Shigure. The closeness of her mentor's touch left Yuu breathless, as she grappled with a sense of unease that felt achingly familiar, a tension that both thrilled and terrified her in equal measure.

"Do you remember the night you fled Sanguinem with nothing but those shoddy clothes on your back and that little locket you're so fond of?" he continued, his voice low and heavy with implication. "What do you think would have happened had I not been there? How long do you think you would have lasted out there on your own with those painful injuries and no access to food and water? A few days? A week at most? Starvation and illness are slow, torturous ways to die, Yuu. If the cold didn't take your life, hunger or infection from those nasty cuts would have sooner or later. And let's not even consider the possibility of some rogue vampire catching your scent and hunting you down like the prey you would have been."

Yuichiro shuddered involuntarily at the vivid recollections of that harrowing night, the memories flooding back with the sharpness of Ferid's claws slicing through her flesh. She did not need Guren to remind her of what could have been—she was all too aware of the fate that awaited her had Guren, Sayuri, and Shigure not been there to save her when they did.

Seizing upon her unease, Guren advanced with a predatory glint in his eye, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.

"I see that night remains etched in your memory, just as it does in mine. I welcomed you into my home, trusting Sayuri and Shigure to provide the care you so urgently needed. Since then, I have been your steadfast protector and provider. I also instructed you in the art of the sword, ensuring the Demon Army would recognize you and grant you the chance to seek your vengeance against the vampires. Given all that I've done for you, don't you think it's time to show your gratitude for my unwavering generosity?"

Yuichiro's brow knitted in confusion, struggling to maintain her composure as his insinuation sank in. "What do you mean, sir? Is my performance on the battlefield not to your satisfaction? I would give my life for any of my comrades, even Mitsuba."

Guren chuckled softly, the amusement in his eyes dancing like flames. "Oh, I know you would, Yuu. I'm not questioning your bravery; rather, I'm trying to understand where your true loyalties lie."

"My loyalties?" she echoed, her heart racing as she grappled with the weight of his words. The tension between them thickened, the air heavy with unspoken challenges and the shadows of the past.

Frustration surged within Guren as he withdrew his arm and clutched her shoulders firmly, compelling her to meet his intense gaze, his emotions igniting like wildfire. Yuichiro bit her lip to stifle a wince under the pressure of his formidable grip, fearful that he might shatter her bones with his overwhelming strength.

"Never forget that I was the one who took you in after you escaped from Sanguinem! Had I not found you, you would have faced certain death outside the city!" he hissed, each word dripping with fervor.

Yuichiro stared at him incredulously. Why was he telling her this now? She opened her mouth to speak, but the intensity in his eyes silenced her, compelling her to listen.

"I was the one who taught you how to fight and protected you to this very day! From your education, to the clothes you wear, the food you eat, to the very bed you sleep in, all of this, I have given you, not the Hiragis. So don't you dare go wagging your tail to them!"

Shocked by Guren's harsh tone, Yuichiro felt her breath hitch as the weight of his words sank in. For the first time, she saw the flicker of fear in his eyes—the fear of losing her loyalty to those he loathed most. Ironic, considering he faced the fiercest foes without flinching.

"Is that what this is about? You have some sort of grudge against the Hiragis? Well, if that's the case, then you have nothing to worry about. If there's something you should know about me by now is that I never betray my friends and allies."

For a fleeting moment, Guren's anger dissipated, and a rare smile crept onto his lips.

"Perhaps. But you're mistaken about one crucial detail, Yuu: I am neither of those."

"Oh?"

"I am your guardian, your superior, your surrogate father or big brother—whatever title you prefer. But make no mistake: I am not your friend. I am your owner."

Yuichiro sighed heavily, her gaze falling to the ground as she turned away from him. Though she and Guren often clashed over myriad issues, this was the one point upon which she knew she could not contest him.

"Is that all I am to you?" she questioned bitterly. "A pet meant to be kept on a leash?"

Realizing he may have crossed a line, Guren felt a twinge of guilt and loosened his grip on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry," he said, his tone softening. "That was uncalled for. What I truly wanted to convey is this: don't trust the Hiragis blindly, especially Kureto. I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Yuichiro managed a small smile. "It's fine. Shinoa said something similar."

Guren's expression softened further, his gaze drifting to the gold heart-shaped locket that hung around Yuichiro's neck. Aware of its significance—an irreplaceable gift from her brother at the orphanage, the very same blond vampire who had nearly killed him in Shinjuku—he felt an internal struggle. He loathed that trinket, yet he couldn't bring himself to command Yuichiro to part with it, knowing how deeply it resonated with her.

"I knew you'd say that," he conceded. "But it's not just the Hiragis you need to worry about."

"What do you mean?" she asked, brow furrowing in confusion.

"I know you've been preoccupied with that boy as well…"

"You mean Mika?"

"I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it's essential that you forget about Mikaela. He is no longer your brother; he's merely another vampire." *3*

Yuichiro felt a fierce indignation bubbling within her, ready to retaliate against Guren's harsh words, but before she could speak, he swiftly cut in.

"I'm telling you this for your own good, Yuu; you'll never fulfill your mission of eradicating all vampires if you cling to emotional ties with even one of them. Deep down, you know I'm right."

A heavy silence enveloped Yuichiro, thick with the weight of their unending disagreements. Though she had always followed her guardian's guidance, the idea of letting go of Mikaela felt like an insurmountable challenge.

"Guren, you can't expect someone to simply erase their feelings…"

In response, the older man traced his fingers delicately along her arms, leaning closer until his breath ghosted across her ear.

"I know. But I'm not guarding my emotions—I'm protecting yours. You belong to humanity, and… you belong to me. Never forget that, Yuichiro Hyakuya."

Heat rose in Yuichiro's cheeks at Guren's possessive words, igniting a mix of confusion and longing. Unsure how to articulate her swirling thoughts, she whispered softly, "I understand..."

Guren's lips curved into a tender smile before he pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to the corner of her mouth, leaving a shiver in its wake.

"Good girl. Now go. And remember what I've told you."

"Yes, Guren," she replied, her voice steady yet tinged with emotion as she dashed off, leaving behind a man lost in the depths of his own thoughts.

Footnotes:

1. In the Anne Rice novels, a vampire's hair will always remain the same length as when they were turned, meaning that if they had short hair, it will never grow any longer and if they had long hair, it will grow back to its original length very quickly, usually within 24 hours. In the movie version of "Interview with the Vampire", the hair grows back within seconds. From what I've seen of the latest OnS manga chapters, Ferid was completely bald after his sunlight torture but his hair grew back to shoulder length within minutes.

2. The Demon Army will kill their own soldiers before letting them get captured alive by the vampires. Shinya mentions that doing so spares such soldiers the pain of being tortured but most likely, it's more to protect the secrets of Demon Army than any real concern for them. Although not mentioned explicitly in the LNs or manga, the Demon Army is also likely to kill their own soldiers if they've been converted to vampirism too.

3. Guren fears losing male!Yuu's loyalty to the Hiragis. In my AU, he feels threatened by the Hiragis AND Mika. After realizing that Mika is alive and that he now has competition for fem!Yuu's loyalty and affections, Guren starts to become more possessive and manipulative to ensure that she remains loyal to him.