Disclaimer: I do not own Owari no Seraph (Seraph of the End). I write this for your enjoyment only.

Last Resort

"Get out! Get the fuck out of my head!" Yuichiro Hyakuya's voice echoed through the dimly lit room as he fought desperately against the chains that shackled his wrists to the cold, stone wall.

Blood and sweat streamed down his face, mingling into a grotesque mask of agony. The blood trickled from the jagged wounds where his horns burst forth, tearing through his skin, and dripped down his back, pooling beneath where his wings had violently emerged from his shoulders. The young man, with raven-black hair that fell across his forehead, knelt on the ground, wearing only dark pants and knee-high boots. He had learned the hard way that clothing was a liability during his transformations; the inevitable bloodstains and shredded fabric were a constant reminder of the chaos his body would unleash whenever the demon within him clawed its way to the surface.

Over the past few months, Yuichiro had managed to develop a keen sense of when his transformation was imminent. This newfound awareness allowed his brother, Mikaela, along with their friends, to quickly escort him to the shed where he could be restrained without incident. It spared him the embarrassment of wrestling with his own uncontrollable impulses in public and prevented Shinoa and Mitsuba from having to resort to their demon talismans, which could attract unwanted attention from nearby vampires.

Whenever the demon took over, Mikaela noticed that Yuichiro transformed into a completely different being. The bond they shared allowed Mika to recognize the subtle shifts in his brother's demeanor, to discern when it was the demon's voice luring him with promises of power and freedom. It taunted Mika, offering him access to its own blood, since it and Yuu were, in essence, two entities inhabiting the same body.

Yet, Mikaela steadfastly refused the demon's temptations. It was not solely the danger to Shinoa's Squad or the villagers that concerned him; it was the moral dilemma of taking Yuichiro's blood without his consent. No matter how ravenous hunger gnawed at him, Mika believed that violating his brother's autonomy was far more perilous. He was grateful for Shinoa and the others who willingly donated their blood, ensuring that he remained strong enough to resist the demon's insidious whispers.

As Yuichiro strained against the chains, the skin around his wrists began to chafe and bleed, a sight that made Mikaela wince in sympathy. However, the physical pain Yuichiro endured paled in comparison to the torment raging inside his mind. It was pure agony for Mika to witness his brother's struggle, knowing there was nothing he could do but stand by helplessly, praying for the ordeal to end and for Yuu to regain his humanity.

It tore at Mikaela's heart to realize that this was one battle from which he and their friends could not shield Yuichiro. It was a conflict that raged within only him, a test of willpower that he had to face alone. All Mika could do was hope that his brother's resolve would prevail, that he would emerge victorious from the depths of his internal struggle.

But fortune favored them, as it often did. A sigh of relief escaped Mika's lips as he witnessed the horns and wings slowly receding back into Yuu's body. Just as his brother began to topple forward, Mika's vampiric speed kicked in, and he swiftly caught Yuu before he could hit the ground face-first. With the immediate danger passed, Mika finally called for Shinoa and Mitsuba to come inside.

Upon hearing their names, the two girls rushed into the shed, Shinoa carrying a pitcher of water and a cup, while Mitsuba held a small basin and a towel.

"How is he?" Shinoa asked, her voice laced with concern as soon as they entered.

Mika turned to face them, the weight of the moment pressing heavily upon him. "He's all right for now," he replied, though the uncertainty lingered in his tone. "But he's going to need rest as soon as we get him inside."

"I think we should wait a few more minutes before releasing him, just to be safe," Mitsuba suggested, her brow furrowed with worry.

"I agree," Shinoa chimed in. "Hey, Mi-chan, why don't you head back to the house and start dinner? Mika and I will take care of Yuu here. I'll join you in the kitchen as soon as I'm done."

Mitsuba hesitated, her concern for Yuichiro evident, but Shinoa offered her a reassuring smile, a beacon of calm amidst the chaos.

"It's okay, Mi-chan. We just need to clean Yuu up and let him rest before dinner. I promise you, he'll be fine. Right now, I need you to get started in the kitchen so everything is ready by the time the others return."

Understanding the logic in Shinoa's words, Mitsuba let out a resigned sigh, her shoulders relaxing.

"Alright, I'll leave everything to you and Mika. See you later, Shinoa. You too, Mika."

After placing the basin down beside Yuichiro and handing the towel to Shinoa, Mitsuba exited the shed. Once the door closed behind her, Shinoa turned her gaze back to Mika, her expression serious.

"Mikaela, how is Yuichiro really doing?"

Mika blinked in confusion at her directness, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

"I thought I already told you he's all right for now."

"Is he really?" Shinoa pressed, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him. "You don't sound convinced. I didn't want to say this in front of Mi-chan, but I can sense that there's something you're not telling me. We can't afford to keep secrets from each other, especially if we want to protect Yuu from the Demon Army and vampire progenitors."

Mikaela hesitated, the weight of his brother's struggles heavy on his heart. He knew Shinoa was right; they needed to be forthright for Yuichiro's sake. But the fear of revealing too much, of burdening her with the gravity of Yuichiro's internal battle, held him back.

As Mika looked at her, determination flickered within him. He would find a way to protect his brother, not just from the demons outside but from the one lurking within.

"Yuu-chan... his demon is becoming increasingly powerful. I can sense it more than ever. Thankfully, he's able to anticipate when a transformation might occur, but it's getting harder for me to keep him restrained. At the rate his abilities are escalating, it won't be long before he's strong enough to overpower me entirely."

Shinoa fell into a contemplative silence as she absorbed his words. As much as she disliked admitting it, she felt utterly helpless in this situation, trapped in a web of uncertainty.

"Is there really no way to halt Yuu's demon progression, aside from the obvious options?"

Though Shinoa held back from stating the unspoken solution directly, Mika understood her implications clearly. He shook his head solemnly.

"We can't bring him back to the Demon Army, Shinoa. You know that's not an option."

"I understand, but what alternatives do we have? Is there any other way to assist Yuichiro? You look like you have something in mind," she pressed, her eyes narrowing with determination.

Now it was Mika's turn to lapse into silence, grappling with the weight of his thoughts. Damn Shinoa for being so perceptive, far more than her seemingly carefree demeanor suggested. But then again, she didn't ascend to become a squad leader in the Moon Demon Company without good reason.

After a moment, Mika exhaled deeply and admitted, "You're right. I do have an idea. But I doubt it's any better than just handing Yuu-chan over to the Demon Army and the Hiragis."

Shinoa raised an eyebrow, curious. "Are you serious? What do you have in mind? Please, tell me…"

"I... I could turn Yuu-chan into a vampire."

"You mean...?" Her voice trailed off, a mix of hope and disbelief swirling within her.

"Yes. If Yuu becomes a vampire, he would possess the mental fortitude necessary to resist the demon from completely overtaking his mind and body. Ferid once mentioned that no namanari has ever managed to fully dominate their demonic side."

"Well, there's a first time for everything," Shinoa snorted, a hint of sarcasm lacing her words.

Ironically, those were the very words of Guren Ichinose, a man she had loathed for his role in her sister's death and for contributing to Yuu's current predicament. The fact that she found herself quoting him was almost laughable.

Mika chuckled softly at her response. "True enough. Believe me, I want to have faith in Yuu-chan more than anything else. I know he's fighting with everything he has, but we must accept the possibility that it may not be enough. Still, I want to believe there's another way to support him, something beyond our current knowledge."

"But what if we can't uncover that way?" Shinoa pressed, her voice rising in urgency. "Yuu's demon is growing stronger day by day, and you yourself said he could overpower you at any moment. Why take such a gamble when you could help him right now?"

"You don't quite grasp the gravity of the situation, Shinoa. Turning a human not without risk!" Mika replied, his tone shifting to one of concern.

Shinoa blinked in confusion, taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"Krul once shared with me that there's a reason why only nobles are permitted to turn humans. Yes, it's true that vampires are typically reluctant to increase their ranks, but it's also due to the fact that not every human can be successfully transformed. Have you ever wondered why nearly all vampires appear youthful, like children, teenagers, or young adults? Why is it so rare to encounter a vampire who resembles someone older than thirty? The answer lies in the transformation process—the older the human at the time of the turning, the more agonizing the experience becomes. Health and stamina play significant roles as well; many older, sickly, or frail individuals have succumbed to pain before they could be successfully transformed. I was only twelve when Krul changed me, and it was the most excruciating experience of my life. For Yuu-chan, it would be even more tormenting because he's now almost seventeen. Yes, he's still young, strong, and healthy, but he's no longer just an ordinary human. We can't predict how a transformation attempt would impact him. What if he doesn't become a vampire at all? What if he turns into something far worse? Are you willing to take that risk, Shinoa?"

Shinoa sighed heavily, her resolve crumbling under the weight of Mika's words. She lowered her head in defeat, her heart heavy with the implications of their conversation.

"You're right, Mika. I didn't think it through. I'm sorry I even brought it up."

"I understand, Shinoa," Mikaela said softly, his expression calm yet serious. "You're only trying to help Yuu-chan, just like I am. But I can't change my brother without his consent, not as long as he's capable of giving it."

Shinoa looked at him, her eyes searching his face for reassurance. "So, if he were to agree, would you go through with it?"

Mikaela's gaze drifted for a moment, as if lost in contemplation. "As painful as it would be for me, yes, I would. This isn't something I ever desired, but if it's genuinely the only way to save him, then I'll do it. Surrendering him to the Demon Army is simply not an option I can accept."

Shinoa nodded slowly, her heart heavy with the weight of their conversation. "I understand. Please, make sure to talk to Yuichiro about this as soon as you can. You need to know how he feels. Whatever you two decide, I'll support you wholeheartedly."

"Thank you," Mikaela replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

Just then, a low groan pierced the air, and both Shinoa and Mika turned their attention to Yuichiro, who was starting to regain consciousness in Mikaela's arms. The unsettling silence that had enveloped the room seemed to lift, replaced by the familiar presence of their dear friend.

"Mika? Shinoa? Is that you?" Yuu's voice was weak but filled with a sense of relief.

Mikaela smiled warmly as he gently stroked Yuu's damp black hair, which clung to his forehead.

"Yes, we're here, Yuu-chan. It's so good to have you back... again."

Shinoa leaned closer, her concern palpable. "How are you feeling? Are you hungry? Do you need some water?"

Yuu, still weary, nodded. "Yes and yes," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Taking that as her cue, Shinoa quickly poured a cup of water, raising it to Yuu's lips so he could drink, mindful of the shackles that bound his wrists.

"I can give you water now, but you'll have to wait another hour or so for dinner. Is that alright with you?"

Yuu nodded in agreement as Shinoa carefully withdrew the cup and placed it beside the water pitcher on the ground.

"Sure. I need some time to shower and get dressed anyway," Yuu remarked, a hint of humor in his tired eyes.

Shinoa felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks as her gaze unintentionally drifted down to Yuu's bare chest, admiring the way his toned muscles moved with each breath. Quickly, she turned to Mikaela, trying to regain her composure.

"Could you give me a moment alone with Yuu? I need to wipe his face and remove his shackles."

Mikaela raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her request. But Shinoa offered him her sweetest smile, a plea evident in her expression.

"Please... I also need to ask him something. It won't take long."

There was a moment of hesitation as Mikaela assessed the situation, looking from Shinoa to Yuu, who met his gaze with a reassuring nod.

"It's okay, Mika. I'll be just fine," Yuu said, his voice steady.

Hearing Yuu's words and seeing Shinoa's hopeful eyes, Mikaela let out a resigned sigh.

"Very well. Just be careful. I'll be right outside if you need anything."

Shinoa caught the double meaning in Mikaela's words. She knew he was worried for her safety, but there was also an underlying hint of distrust regarding his brother's well-being. It was a feeling she understood all too well, given the circumstances.

"I promise I'll be careful," she assured him. "If I sense any trouble, I'll call for you immediately."

Mikaela nodded, a look of concern still etched on his face, before he stood up and stepped outside, closing the door of the shed gently behind him.

Once they were alone, Shinoa took a towel from beside the basin, wet it, and squeezed out the excess water before turning her attention back to Yuu.

As she began to wipe the sweat and blood from his brow, she asked softly, "How do you feel?"

Yuu sighed, his green eyes meeting her mahogany gaze with a weariness that spoke volumes.

"I've had better days. I hope I wasn't too much trouble for you and Mika."

"Don't worry about that," Shinoa replied, her voice soothing. "What matters is that you overcome this demon inside you. We're going to help you, no matter what it takes."

As Yuu listened, he raised his eyes to her, sensing that there was more she wanted to say.

"Is that all?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

"What do you mean?" Shinoa responded, a hint of confusion in her voice.

"I mean," Yuu continued, his expression serious, "That wasn't all you wanted to say, was it? What is it you wanted to tell me that Mika couldn't hear?"

Shinoa hesitated for a moment, the weight of Yuu's gaze pressing down on her. He was right; she should have anticipated his suspicion the instant she had asked his vampire brother to leave.

"You're right," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's something that's been weighing heavily on my mind lately, something... deeply unsettling."

"What is it?" Yuu pressed, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm worried," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "Your transformations are becoming more frequent, and each time it takes longer for you to return to us. I'm scared, Yuu. I can't bear the thought of losing you. Please, if there's anything I can do to help, just tell me." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and Yuu's heart ached at the sight of her lovely face twisted with worry and grief for him, of all people. He longed to offer her words of comfort, but the truth weighed heavily on him, making it impossible to offer false hope.

"There's nothing you or anyone else can do," he replied, his tone steady yet devoid of warmth. "This is a battle only I can fight."

As if bracing for the impact of his words, Shinoa squeezed her eyes shut and averted her gaze for a brief moment. When she looked back at him, her expression was resolute yet pained. There was something she wanted to say, a piece of information that might help ease her worries. It was about Mika's idea, but she knew it wasn't her place to divulge it. That was a conversation meant for Yuu and Mika alone.

"I understand," she said softly, though her voice was laced with lingering concern. "But it's not just that... I also don't know how much longer we can stay here. Even if the demon and vampire armies don't pursue us, the villagers are terrified. They're afraid of Mikaela... and they're afraid of you..."

Touched by the depth of her concern, Yuu leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Shinoa's for a fleeting moment. His voice dropped to a whisper as he shared his inner turmoil.

"I'm afraid of myself..."

Her breath caught in her throat. This was the first time she had ever heard Yuichiro Hyakuya admit to being afraid of anything. Even when they faced the most formidable vampire nobles, he had always stood resolute, refusing to let fear flicker across his features, let alone voice it.

Before she could formulate a response, Shinoa felt his lips brush against hers in a quick, unexpected kiss. It sent a jolt through her, causing her heart to race and her cheeks to flush a deep crimson. When he smiled at her, even with fatigue etched into his features, she felt a wave of warmth wash over her.

"Thank you, Shinoa... for caring... and for always being there for me. I'll forever be grateful to you and the others. But right now, I'm really tired and need to lie down. Can you please let me go?" His request was gentle, yet it reminded her of the shackles that bound him.

"Y-yes, of course!" she stammered, feeling foolish for having momentarily forgotten about his restraints and the uncomfortable position he was in.

With a swift motion, she undid his shackles, her fingers trembling slightly as she helped Yuu to his feet. She draped one of his arms over her shoulders, supporting his weight as she led him out of the shed. As they emerged, they found Mika waiting just outside, his eyes lighting up at the sight of his brother. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, eager to take over.

"Thank you, Shinoa," Mika said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I'll handle it from here. Please, go help Mitsuba with dinner."

"Of course," she replied, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. "I'll see you at dinner."

After Mika carried Yuu back inside the house, Shinoa tilted her face skyward, closing her eyes for a moment as she absorbed the events of the day. Yuu's admission of fear and that fleeting kiss had caught her completely off guard, but there was not a shred of regret in her heart. No matter what trials lay ahead, Shinoa vowed to remain by his side, steadfast and unwavering, come what may.

A/N: I hope my readers didn't find the ending to this snippet too corny; I wasn't sure how else to end it. But thanks for reading anyway and let me know what you think :)