Chapter 17
1233 Words
The second Shuu came home that night he felt a weight lift off of his broad shoulders. His comfort and sanctuary roam these halls, one with experience, the other who is still learning, but is a quick learner nonetheless.
Today is Ema’s birthday. He remembers the day she turned one last December; after another visit from the doctor he said that Ema is roughly twelve months old. At that moment Yui decided that the date that she found Ema is now birthday. The brothers at first thought it would be foolish to create such a day without having anymore information but once they looked into the eyes of the growing toddler there wasn’t much they could say to argue. From then on, that day has been marked appropriately with so much love and affection in their hearts as they continue to raise this child as their own.
As soon as Shuu enters the dining room, he is greeted by an excited squeal that makes him smile.
“Daddy!” His little girl jumps into his arms, simply happy at the mere sight of him.
“Hey Em, did I miss you making your birthday wish? I’m sorry I came home late.” He begins to apologize while moving his palm to smooth down her tufts of golden blonde. The little girl welcomes the caring touch of her father, but shakes her head.
“It’s okay, Daddy! You were my wish!”
Hearing these few simple words made Shuu realize exactly what he is fighting for, who he is fighting for. All the love, care, joy, tears, frustration, late nights, and early mornings— everything that is poured into this little human being is completely worth it in his eyes. He feels an onslaught of emotions hit him like a tidal wave all at once. He knows there is still so much for him to learn, but at least he now knows the joys of parenthood.
And one thing is for certain: He will protect his daughter.
“Oh, me?” He asks as a small smile graces his lips, a smile that meets his tired royal blue eyes.
“Mhm! I wished that you would come home and play with me and help me open my presence!”
After that, Shuu didn’t pay much attention to anything else that happened around him except for when Ema turned her attention to him specifically. His mind drifted back to the visit he paid his father, looking for answers. As of right now, he regrets every decision he’s made that afternoon.
...
Calm measured steps echo throughout the hall on to the marble floor. Large white columns encase the room as Shuu walks into his father’s office.
Karlheinz, the vampire king, waits with a devilish smirk toying with Shuu’s head, and arms bent at the elbows with his long, skilled fingers intertwined.
Long flowing platinum blonde locks swayed down his back as ruby red eyes stared into the ocean blue of his son.
“Shuu, what a pleasant surprise. Come, sit, what is it that you wanted to speak to me about?” The king inquires his first born.
“I’ll stand. What are you up to? Is this another one of your experiments?” Shuu spats. He wants answers, and he didn’t have time to play his father’s mind games. He has a daughter to get back to, and needs to sing her Happy Birthday. Karlheinz matches Shuu’s glare with a playful and inquisitive glint in his eyes.
“Whatever do you mean? I haven’t contacted any of you in over a year. Tell me, did something with Eve? Hopefully, for your sake, she is still alive and well.”
“This isn’t about Yui. This is about the little girl you sent to us. Why? What are you planning to do with Ema?” Shuu felt his patience grow thin, and his anger bubble at the surface. His deep blue eyes glaze over with barely contained rage. He clenches his fist and towers over his father’s seated form.
The king of vampires simply gazes at his son. What emotion! Is this what love has driven his son to? Fascinating! Truly marvelous!
“Ema? Is that what you’ve named her?” Karlheinz inquires, he may not have a clue as to what his heir is talking about, but he’ll milk the situation for all it’s worth.
“Don’t change the subject. I just need to know where she came from, and why? Are you giving up on the Adam and Eve Project?”
Karlheinz chuckles. The rumbling in his chest is deep and low as his vocals that bounce off the walls in the confines of his office.
“Shuu, there is definitely hope for the Adam and Eve Project. I’m sure you and Eve have connected through that Ema of yours. You say I brought you to her? Well I’ll let you in on a little secret, son. I didn’t have the slightest idea about this child being brought to you. But now, now my curiosity is peaked. Maybe it’s time I study this experiment more up close and personal, no?”
“No. If you come anywhere near Ema, I swear to you I will kill you, and finally bring an end to your reign of tyranny over us.” Shuu speaks, his words dripping with venom being empowered by the hatred and anger towards the man before him. No one will take Ema away from them, no one, especially not the reigning king of darkness.
After Shuu’s rant, the older male hardens his gaze into a refined glare.
“Careful now, Shuu. You don’t want to pay another visit to the North Pole, do you?” The devil smirks, showing off long, sharp, and deadly fangs.
A shiver runs down Shuu’s spine, but he refuses to show such weakness in front of the man he is forced to call his father.
Shuu straightens his form before turning his back on the ageless vampire to leave his presence.
“Stay away from Ema.”
Are his last words before he completely leaves the scene. In the limo, he rests his head in his palm. What has he done? His father had no idea but now he may use Ema as another one of his test subjects in his little game. He didn’t want that for his little girl.
Shuu loses himself in his thoughts, baffled at the lack of answers and condemning himself for his stupidity. If his father isn’t behind Ema’s sudden appearance, who is? Where did she come from? Why did she come to them? The answers could have been simple as to Ema being abandoned by a lowly human, but Shuu felt as if it were more to that. Was he wrong?
In the end, Shuu is absolutely sure that he has brought about the demise of his family single-handedly.
While in the quiet darkness of the car, by himself, he’ll admit one thing.
Reiji was right: He is a fool.
- Writer
