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

Where Loyalties Lie

Yuichiro Hyakuya inhaled deeply, a contented sigh escaping his lips as the refreshing sea breeze caressed his face. The raven-haired boy sat on the beach, dressed in casual clothes, his knees drawn up to his chest with his arms wrapped around his legs. Moments like this, where he could unwind and appreciate the beauty of the world, were few and far between.

Despite the apocalypse that had decimated nearly all of humanity and left the civilized world in ruins, remnants of beauty still lingered. He gazed at the sky painted with hues of red, orange, and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. Back when his late mother's mind was still her own, Yuu recalled her words about how people often took the simple joys for granted, failing to recognize their true value until they were lost.

Back then, Yuu hadn't fully grasped her meaning, but after all he had endured, his late mother's words resonated clearly within him now. He cherished the few precious memories of his parents, even if their family's end had been fraught with tragedy.

His reverie was interrupted by the gentle sound of footsteps on the sand. Turning slightly, Yuu's face broke into a smile at the sight of his familiar orphanage brother.

"Mika…" he greeted, patting the space beside him in the sand, inviting the blond to join him in watching the sunset. Mikaela pulled a shiny coin from his pocket, a brass-colored American coin called a "penny", with a playful smile on his face.

"Penny for your thoughts, Yuu-chan?" he quipped, extending the coin towards him. Yuu grinned, accepting it, well aware that their shared resources meant it was just Mika's way of drawing him in.

"Only if you sit down and enjoy the sunset with me," Yuu teased back.

"Of course, Yuu-chan," Mika replied as he settled next to his brother.

Since transforming into a vampire, Mikaela had developed a strong aversion to sunlight, making it impossible for him to venture outside during the day without the protection of his UV guard. Without that simple device secured to his shoulder, he would be reduced to ashes the moment the sun's rays touched his skin, just like any other young common vampire.

Mika recalled hearing Ferid mention that older and more powerful vampires, such as nobles, could withstand unprotected exposure to sunlight, though they would endure excruciating pain until healing the following evening. He remembered conversations among the older vampires about the times before UV guards existed, when all vampires had to live exclusively at night, confined indoors during the day with little to occupy their time other than sleep. The thought of spending centuries without the ability to bask in the sun or appreciate its beauty was unimaginable to him.

Though Mika resented being unable to walk freely under the sun, he was thankful for the device that allowed him some semblance of normalcy.

"What's on your mind, Mika?" Yuu asked after noticing Mika's silence as he settled into the sand.

"I was just curious what you're thinking, Yuu-chan. It's not often I see you so relaxed."

"I'm just trying to savor our time here before we move on. It feels like we arrived just yesterday, yet it's been almost four months. Part of me wishes we could stay here forever, but I know we have so much left to do before the war is over."

Mika frowned, recognizing Yuu's lingering desire to rescue his former guardian and Kimizuki's sister, Mirai. Yuu even wanted to save Queen Krul, who had kept Mika alive during their separation.

"I understand wanting to save Kimizuki's sister and Queen Krul, but Guren? You know he partly caused your demon problem. He even admitted he wouldn't have saved you if you weren't useful to him."

"True, but I still owe him my life. I wouldn't have survived alone outside Sanguinem if he hadn't found me. And you feel the same about Queen Krul, don't you?"

Mika paused for a moment, grappling with the truth he was reluctant to acknowledge: Yuu was correct. They both owed their presence here to the intervention of their guardians. The difference was that while Krul did rescued Mikaela for her own reasons, she had been upfront about her intentions from the beginning. In contrast, Guren had been nothing but misleading since the moment he took Yuichiro under his care.

Yet Mika chose to remain silent, not wanting to spoil the peaceful moment with a disagreement. He, too, wanted to save Krul, feeling a sense of loyalty to her despite his resentment for what she had turned him into.

Though he rarely spoke of her, it was evident to Yuu that Mika worried for Krul's well-being just as Yuu himself did for Guren's.

"You're right, Yuu-chan. I want to save her, but I have no idea where she could be, just as you don't know where Guren or Mirai are. It feels like we have to wait for the humans or vampires to make their move before we can act."

Part of Mika felt uneasy revealing this truth. If Yuu didn't know him well, he might think Mika was trying to dissuade him, but that wasn't his intention—he was simply being realistic. Mika understood that Krul cared for him; she had sacrificed her freedom so he could escape during the Battle of Nagoya, knowing Ferid and Crowely couldn't pursue him and contain her at the same time.

It made perfect sense for them to seek him out; obtaining information from Mika would be easier than from the queen herself. As he closed his eyes, memories of his vampire mother's words echoed in his mind:

"Remember, Mika, I do this for love of you!"

It was the first time Mika had heard Krul express 'love.' Before that moment, he had doubted vampires could feel such emotions, thinking he was merely an exception due to his youth. He was wrong; all vampires, regardless of age, craved companionship and affection just like humans did. Perhaps that was why Krul had chosen to turn him—she sought someone she could trust among her followers, knowing Mika had no desire for her power.

All Mikaela wanted from his vampire mother was the opportunity she could offer to help him locate Yuichiro. She provided that chance, partly because she needed his strength too. Krul had shown Mika more consideration and care than any of her other subjects, and he had to acknowledge that she had been far more of a mother to him than his real one ever was. In that sense, Krul's love for Mika was perhaps more genuine than Ferid's twisted affections.

"So, how long do you think it'll be before they make their move?" Yuu suddenly asked, pulling Mika from his thoughts.

"Who? The humans or the vampires?"

"Both."

"Honestly, I'm not sure. But if I had to guess, I would say the vampires are likely to act first since they seem less fragmented than the humans at the moment. Still, the humans are nothing if not persistent."

"Maybe. But I've noticed that many vampires are pretty laid-back and only take action when absolutely necessary. I wouldn't be surprised if they're waiting to fully recover from their losses before coming after us, like your so-called friends—Crowely, Lacus, and René."

Mika scoffed. "They are not my friends, Yuu-chan. But you're probably right. Humans, on the other hand, are notoriously impatient. It wouldn't shock me if the Demon Army has been searching for us ever since we left Nagoya, despite their losses."

"They might be. But what will we do when they find us? Maybe we should let them; they could lead us to the people we're looking for."

"Are you out of your mind, Yuu-chan? Do you have any idea what the Demon Army or the progenitors would do to you if they caught you? Either one of them?"

"I'd rather not find out. So the solution is simple: I'll make sure I don't get captured. If I did, I wouldn't be able to keep my promise to you, would I?" Yuu replied with a wink.

Despite the seriousness of their situation, Mika was amazed that his brother could still joke about it. It wasn't that Yuu was oblivious to the dire consequences of being captured by the Demon Army or the vampire progenitors; he simply wanted to lighten Mika's mood and encourage him to think positively for a change.

"Hey, Mika?" Yuu began, attempting to shift the topic.

"Yeah, Yuu-chan?"

"Is it really that bad? You know, being a vampire?"

Mika was taken aback by Yuu's unexpected question. Not long ago, he might have scolded any human for asking such a thing. However, after all they had been through since Yuu awoke from his coma and the request his brother made just the night before, Mika recognized it as a valid question. Yuu was genuinely curious and needed to understand what he would be getting into if Mika granted his request.

And Mika had no intention of sugarcoating the truth if he wanted Yuu to make an informed decision.

"It's been the reason I've wished for death more than once," he admitted. "Imagine not being able to eat or drink anything but blood. Imagine never being able to go outside during the day without UV protection, or aging, or having children—outliving the humans you care about, and…" Mika looked at Yuu, "being forced to live like this forever until you're killed or choose to end your own life."

Now it was Yuu's turn to be shocked. "End my own life? Are you saying there are vampires who have?"

Mika nodded. "Not long after I was turned, I learned that suicide rates among common vampires were alarmingly high. Krul told me that most of them choose to end their lives by walking into the sun unprotected when they grow tired of existing—usually after a century or two, sometimes even just a few decades. I was curious and asked her why. Do you know what she said, Yuu-chan?"

The raven-haired boy shook his head, urging Mika to continue.

"No, what?" he asked, intrigued.

"She laughed and said, 'Do you know how few vampires can handle immortality? How quickly many of them choose to perish? The world changes, my pet. We do not. There lies the irony that ultimately destroys us!'"

Yuichiro was taken aback by his brother's response. So it wasn't just the constant need for blood or the inability to age, have children, or enjoy sunlight that drove most vampires to suicide. It was the burden of living on long after their human loved ones had passed away—year after year, century after century. That was the last fate he wanted for Mikaela.

The raven-haired boy leaned in closer to his blond companion, gently cradling Mika's face in his hands.

"I can only imagine what it must be like to live forever like that. But would it really be so bad if I were with you?"

Mika flushed at Yuu's warm touch.

"Maybe not. But you have no idea what it's like to be forced to drink another's life force just to survive or to go mad from thirst, to be stuck at the age you were turned, knowing you'll never have a real family or watching everyone you love grow old and die while you remain frozen in time. I can't imagine that kind of life for you, Yuu-chan…"

Yuichiro couldn't help but smile as he wrapped his arms around Mikaela. Some things never change; his brother was so selfless that it would always be difficult for him to admit when he wanted something—or someone.

"Mika, you're so stubborn, you know that?" he teased. "You don't need to keep giving me reasons why this is a bad idea. I know. And it's my choice, isn't it? What I want to do with my humanity?"

"I just don't want you to get into something you might regret later…"

"I'll never regret any choice that lets me be with you, Mika. You know that," Yuu insisted as he pressed his forehead against Mika's.

The blond chuckled softly. "Thank you, Yuu-chan. I wouldn't either. But seriously, please think about it some more, okay? Who knows? We might find a cure for my vampirism tomorrow or soon."

Now it was Yuu's turn to laugh. "Yeah, I know. I will, Mika. If it makes you feel better."

As he said this, he kissed the top of his brother's head while playfully ruffling his soft blond hair.

Not too far away, Shinoa Hiragi observed the scene between the Hyakuya brothers from behind a tree, having come to inform them that dinner was ready, only to catch them in this intimate moment.

Although she recognized that spying was impolite, the purple-haired girl's curiosity overwhelmed her, prompting her to observe the two for a while before revealing herself. Despite feigning ignorance, Shinoa had already surmised that Yuu and Mika's bond had evolved beyond mere friendship and familial ties. In all her life, she had never witnessed two young men as devoted to each other in multiple ways, and she felt it would be wrong to interfere in their relationship. Therefore, Shinoa decided it was best to keep her feelings to herself, at least for the time being.

Taking a deep breath, Shinoa finally emerged from behind the tree and called out to the young duo on the beach.

"Mika! Yuu! Dinner is ready!"

The two young men turned to see their squad leader beckoning to them from a distance. Rising to his feet, Yuu brushed the sand off his pants and extended his hand to help Mika up, which he gladly accepted.

"Coming, Shinoa!" Yuu shouted back, his voice full of cheer like an excited child.

Mika couldn't help but smile at his brother's youthful exuberance. This was the Yuu he had come to love so dearly—the innocent boy who yearned to explore the world beyond Sanguinem with those he cherished most. Yes, eventually, they would have to leave their tranquil village and face the challenges ahead. After all, much remained to be accomplished before the war concluded.

But for now, they would relish moments like these while they could.

A/N: Ok, so I think I will end this brief series here. This is my personal take on what happened with Shinoa's Squad in the 3-4 month time gap after escaping the battle of Nagoya until Ferid and Crowley finally came for them. I hope you all enjoyed reading what I came up with and greatly appreciate reviews! Thanx for reading! ;)