Author's Preface:

Ah yes, I have done it again. I've created another abomination. A Frankenstein's monster that should not be allowed to see the light of day. Alas, I bowed to the pressure of the angry hordes of unsatisfied readers [hyperbole, kids. look it up.] calling me to continue where I had left off with "Revised" which I highly recommend you read before delving into this monstrosity. But if you're kicking off directly from the first season of the anime, "Revised" ends where Yui states that she's feeling thirsty.

"Rebirth" was initially intended to write a short follow up but quickly spawned into a full blown sequel. A sequel that is CURRENTLY ON HIATUS. Expect poor writing - I created this years ago and haven't gotten around to editing it. But no. I am not dead yet - in fact, I am very much alive and busy with real world responsibilities. In my spare time, I'm slowly going through "Revised" and "Rebirth" and polishing them up. It may take a couple more years but I do want to leave you with a product that we can both be satisfied with. I promise I won't abandon you forever. [EDIT: I'm still saying this in 20-freaking-19 lmao]

I apologize in advance for random changes in point of view, terrible grammar, unbelievable OOC-ishness, dry portrayals of teenage angst, awkward sexual tension, unexplained aggression, combustible limes, et cetera, et cetera. Since watching the anime was more than enough torture, I can't push myself to play the games. So this is nearly a hundred percent of my own content. Literally do yourself a favor and look away before your eyes start bleeding. *Runs away in shame*

Rebirth

"Get her a glass of water." Ayato ordered, not unkindly, to no one in particular. His searching gaze remained locked on the fragile creature in front of him.

Subaru nodded and promptly did as was requested. Yuuki, the recently-revived female, could do little else but blink dully as the youngest of the Sakamaki boys teleported to and fro. Her parched throat kept her from voicing her the many questions churning inside her but the intense, growing desire to sate her thirst soon overcame all other thoughts. The others inquired if she was in need of anything else. No. Apparently not. They fell into a hush once more.

"Here you go." Subaru mumbled gruffly upon his return. Her icy fingertips accidentally brushed over his knuckles as the glass transferred between them, making him shiver. She quietly thanked him before taking a large swig.

To everyone's alarm, Yuuki immediately coughed up the mouthful, dropping the glass onto her lap with a small "Kos~!"

"Yuu-chan!" Kanato exclaimed as Reiji swiftly plucked the glass away before it could tumble to it's doom.

Shu and Laito nearly jumped out of their socks while Subaru took a step back, shocked. Their panic was abated when they realized that she simply choked in her own haste and was not experiencing some sort of a supernatural withdrawal symptom. After all, when was ingesting cremated ashes - those of a hateful demoness, no less - good for anybody? No one save for the Sacrificial Bride, it seemed.

Ayato pat her on the back with gentle thuds until her violent hacking returned to normal breathing.

"Idiot! Drink it slowly," he commanded. Yuuki, clinging onto his arm for support, hiccuped her affirmative before meekly asking to return to her room.

"You're probably exhausted." Kanato offered. He was slightly annoyed that she spilled water on her new gown but figured that it would do no real harm. "I guess I can play with you later."

"Go change and get some sleep. We'll check up on you once you've fully recovered." Reiji added since he was responsible of the general well being of the household members. Behind him, Shu pointed his nose up at the air and growled. Laito simply shrugged with a knowing smile. Noticing the disturbance, Reiji glanced aside at them before turning back to the girl.

"Ayato can take care of anything else you need assistance with. It seems that the rest of us have to attend to some unfinished business..." Who was he kidding? He'd take care of it but Shu certainly wouldn't.

Missing the second look Reiji shot the eldest of the triplets, Ayato tucked a strand of platinum blonde hair behind her ear. "Can you stand?"

"Mm hmm," she hummed absentmindedly.

Something was off. She felt sick... Cold. Like a stone pit burrowed itself inside her chest - like an empty void had been born within the depths of her stomach. Yuuki clutched the neckline of her dress as he slowly helped her get on her feet. Her index and middle fingers traced the scar-less skin where the fatal wound had been just moments ago. Strange. How could she feel so alive and dead at the same time? Her body probably never felt so new and light. And yet it tingled with the need for something. To fill the flawless, cold porcelain shell that she was with something. Fear and dread overtook her. What was happening? Why did her soul scream inside its container so?

Ayato escorted her halfway to her room before she faltered. She began to apologize for her light-headedness but he simply rolled his eyes and swooped her into his arms to carry her the rest of the way bridal-style.

"Whoa, pancake. You outta get some more meat on your body. You weigh less than a sack of potatoes."

She lightly flushed the same sherbet shade as her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck... Wait, what was this? Did this boy have what she so desperately needed?

"I usually swing between ninety and a hundred pounds," she admitted in a low voice.

"Dangerous." Ayato grunted in reply.

"Indeed," she agreed as she nuzzled her face against his jugular vein and began planting soft kisses on his skin. The vampire froze in his tracks. Then he put her down and pulled away from her touch.

"Hey," he said with firm gentleness before she could protest. "Don't get any funny ideas in your head just because you're wearing a wedding dress, Yuuki. You're not really my bride yet."

"I just wanted-" She bit her lip and looked down at her feet shyly. He close his eyes and exhaled with measured restraint. God damn. She was really just too cute for her own good. How could a predator like him resist such a natural tease?

"Come on. Let's get you to bed..."

"Ayato?" Yuuki murmured, her tone troubled, causing him pause.

Lifting her chin, he saw turmoil hidden in her sweet strawberry eyes. She gasped at the touch and he dropped his hand, watching her shift back on her heel. "What's the matter, pancake?"

"N-Nothing." Reading the skepticism on his face, Yuuki stretched her arms out expectantly and innocently quirked her head to the side. "Will you still carry me?"

... How could he say no? He answered with his actions then told her he'd go get a fresh glass for Yuuki, be back in just a minute. The errand might help him cool his head, or at the very least, calm his jittering nerves.

"You always make me do so much extra work, pancake." Ayato joked to himself in order to kill the tension still penetrating the night air. It was an aftertaste of the crisis that they had just avoided. Relief finally set in, but he felt sore from guilt and the nagging idea that they would have to clean up the mess left behind. He sniffed at the thought and faintly smelled the scent of something burning. A fire? Ah. That was the thing that Reiji was referring to, wasn't it? He'll leave the matter to them, then.

Ayato didn't bother knocking. He walked right into the bedroom as if it was nobody's business and was slightly disappointed to find Yuuki already changed into her nightgown. The white dress was delicately laid out on her chair while she sat at the edge of her bed, patiently awaited his return.

"What's your blood type?" Yuuki suddenly asked, staring at her bare knees rather than looking up to acknowledge him or his apparent perverseness.

"Huh?" The door shut loudly behind him, emphasizing his reaction. Random much?

"I'm type O, which is probably why everyone drinks my blood without dying," she continued, unruffled by the gunshot sound he'd caused.

"Heh, you hoping we'd die after a taste?"

"No," she said, shaking her head. 'I don't want you to die."

"You don't?"

"No. Why would I want that when I feel indebted to you? You saved my life. I think... Right? Yes, of course. But I can't remember..." The petite blonde blinked slowly as if trying to clear a fog from her mind and he waited for her to finish her sentence. "I-I know I was there and all, but my memory's evading me. The past few hours, days are a haze."

Jesus. What's wrong with me? She massaged her temples with the pads of her fingertips.

"Ayato, please. Can you tell me what I missed? What exactly is happening to me?"

The vampire frowned at the recent memory. Good. It was better if she didn't remember. It was better if she didn't relieve how Cordelia and Richter tried to hurt her. It was better if she didn't know how close he was to losing her, nor how useless he had been when she needed him most. It wasn't that he refused to give credit to his brothers for everything they had done. He was ashamed of himself... and sort of disliked the idea that Yuuki might feel "indebted" to anyone else, admittedly. He was thankful enough for the both of them. If only he could envelop her inside his embrace forever, protecting her from the entire world and every other sensation.

The girl looked up at him through her lashes as he continued to ponder in a most curious silence. "Ayato?"

"I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Why not?"

He shrugged. "Just 'cuz."

"Please." Yuuki pressed, confused by his childish response.

"Sorry, pancake. Not happening."

She sighed at his secrecy, unable to fully pinpoint the true reason why he stubbornly refused to spill the beans - a desire to exclusively monopolize her and her affections. "From what I can tell, I nearly lost my life today. I think I deserve to know."

"Just drink your damn water and go to sleep, sweetling. You need to rest. It's been a... long night."

Yuuki swallowed as anger and resentment and hurt began constricting in her throat, feeling her eyeballs prickle at the edges. Was the truth really so bad that he could not even bring himself to confide in her? Oh, God!

"Okay. I'll tell you everything," he finally conceded, realizing that he was stressing her out more, before promptly adding, "But only when I feel like it."

His stubborn reluctance pissed her off but at least they found a compromise. Maybe he too needed some time to mull things over. "Fine."

"I'm also type O, by the way." Ayato said as he tried to hand her the neglected crystal tumbler. Answering her initial question seemed to be a good way to do something about her (admittedly adorable) pout. She turned away from him in order to hide all the conflicting emotions storming through her from his knowing gaze.

"..."

Keeping the chilled drops from sloshing out, he swished the water in front of her face.

"Oi." Ayato called impatiently, seeing that she seemed resolved to ignore him. "Are you gonna take it or what?"

Without warning, Yuuki bashed the peace offering out of his grasp with a swift, back-handed slap. The glass whizzed through the air and shattered against the the wall into a thousand sparkling pieces.

"What in good God's name was that for?!" Ayato yelped as the broken tumbler descended onto the floor.

First of all, how dare she so brazenly reject his kindness? And secondly, when did she get so strong to be able to send that thing flying?

"Ah, ahh~" the vampire complained, getting down on his haunches to pick up a shard - only to drop it when it pricked his finger. "Look. The carpet's soaked."

Reiji would not be pleased. Sure, it's not like it really mattered if a glass or two broke - they were easily replaceable. The fact that the wallpaper had been damaged was sure to piss him off, though. If there was too large a stain leftover, they might have to remove it and repaint the entire wall. Not that this cotton candy room couldn't use a little bit of renovation. Yuuki might enjoy taking a break from all the pink and blush tones and graduate to a more mature color palette.

Alright then, he figured as he finished assessing the mess. He'd just leave it alone. Turning back to face her, he saw Yuuki curled up into herself, clenching her fist tightly.

"You okay, pancake?" Ayato kneeled in front of Yuuki and gently pried her fingers open to allow him to stoke the back of her paw soothingly. "Geez, that must have hurt. Don't do things that you're going to regret immediately."

She was till icier than the water he attempted to give her, he noted. He had no real body heat to share - the way she used to. Instead, as a poor excuse as a substitute, he pressed his lips against her hand.

"Ayato."

Green eyes flew up to meet pink. Hers were filled with tears. She looked like she wanted to tear herself apart. Like she was just barely holding back some vicious urge inside her and it was breaking her heart. Ayato reached out to clasp her cheeks and her pupils darkened to a cherry shade.

There it was again - that tug. That scent. So strong and enticing and consuming... Coming from his left index finger? The girl exhaled a breathy gasp but was unable to move away from his caress.

"Shh, calm down. I'm right here. She's gone. Cordelia's gone. It's just the two of us now," the boy assured her despite his own growing panic. He was scared. Scared that she was hurt or afraid. Ayato pulled her off the bed and into a hug. She landed on his lap with her chin resting on his shoulder.

"Forgive me." Yuuki whispered hoarsely.

"For wha-whoa!" A stab of pain cut the words off. Did she just bite him? Holy shit. Every fiber in his body shocked to inaction, completely unable to comprehend the switch in roles.

She was on top of him, pinning him down, unable to stop. She was a ferocious animal without control over herself. She was... She was possessed. Her eyes glowed with blood-lust as she dug her new fangs into his raw, virgin flesh.

"Ow! What the hell, pancake?!"

The petite blonde took no heed of his cry. She had never asked to be turned into this... this beast. Let him taste his own medicine for once! Besides, she already said that she was thirsty.

"Yuuki!"

This was going too far. He needed to change the situation somehow and regain his dominance. Still the stronger one between them, he tried to roll her off of his chest but she would not allow such a thing. He might have been able to prevent her attack if he had not been immobilized by surprise. Now it was utterly too late.

"No! I need this," the vampirette roared, threatening to choke him with his own tie. "I need you. Don't move or I'll kill you."

"I-"

She reattached her mouth to his bloody wound with a menace, smothering his protests instantly. Her fists pulling his unbuttoned shirt towards her so that she could pierce deeper, harder into the place where neck and shoulder met.

Ayato's arms fell limply to his sides in order to avoid hurting her as well as to avoid his own promised doom. It wasn't like she could actually take out an immortal being, but even still...

"Ng, Yuuki. If you don't stop soon, I'm going to faint."

The blonde chuckled, her pupils still a liquid vice. "So what?"

"So what?" Ayato repeated, incredulous and disbelieving.

"It's not too bad. Trust me, I would know... And lucky for you, lest you forget, there's a bed right here," she growled into his ear, licking a wayward string of liquid crimson off his neck for good measure.

Damn, that was hot. Thankfully his blood couldn't rush down to his nether regions for the obvious reasons. She resumed her feeding, this time much more gently. Her appetite sated a few moments later, she dropped her head onto his collarbone with a sigh and they lay sprawled on the ground.

"I guess that never happened to you before." Yuuki mused in the aftermath of her meal.

"N-Jesus Christ, pancake." He ran a palm over his face. "Are you insane?"

"You hesitated."

"I remembered how we - Laito and Kanato and me - used to bite each other all the time," he grunted. "Back when we were kids."

Her nose crinkled in mild disgust. "You guys drank each other's blood?"

"No, you powdered donut. If anyone else tried to pull a stunt like this, they'd be six feet under already. Do honestly you even realize what you just did?"

"Powdered donut?"

"Don't judge," he said as his arms wrapped around her midsection. "I'm nearly wiped out and I need energy."

Yuuki yelped as he pushed her off and over and onto the floor, trapping her beneath himself. He shifted his center of balance.

"Maybe I should punish you for your insolence and eat you up instead."

Rather than the flash of annoyance he expected to see, her eyes darkened into an even more dangerous shade. She wiggled out from his hold and he let her go. Once free, she pulled her hair to one side, glancing over her bare shoulder and grinning at him. Ayato returned a weary frown.

"Come to me," the vampirette cooed before getting up from the floor and settling in her bed. The command, despite being all too easy to follow, felt very, very wrong. On so many levels.

"No." Ayato declined none-too-politely.

"Why not?" Yuuki asked, uncertainty coloring her voice at his refusal.

"Weren't you satiated half a second ago? You should be full by now."

"There's no need to hesitate. I only wanted a bit of company."

"Bullshit." He had every reason to hesitate.

She clicked her tongue with a pointed "tch" and he swore he heard her whisper something underneath her breath.

"Excuse me?"

"Sigh. To think that you of all people would scare so easily. Was the experience that traumatizing - being the prey for once?"

"Shut up. I am not scared of a pipsqueak like you."

"Prove it." Yuuki said, loosening the thin ribbon at her chest. She softened her tone so that it sounded less like a challenge and more like a friendly invitation. "Come, darling. Stay with me."

His resolve faltered. "Fine. If we're playing your stupid game, we're doing it by my rules."

The mattress heaving underneath him, the vampire climbed on top of her and Yuuki giggled. A strange, sweet musty odor radiated from her underneath the rusty, metallic smell of vampire blood. He sniffed curiously.

"Are you fucking drunk?"

"Hmm... I just drank you a~ll up, you know."

"Ugh. That woman." Ayato spat in vexation, recalling the glass of red wine Cordelia had been sipping as she possessed Yuuki's body. No wonder the latter had been acting so recklessly since her Awakening. The alcohol hadn't left her system.

The petite blonde began planting mild kisses where his skin was still tender and red, making him shiver out of his rumination.

"Stop that," he ordered, pulling his shoulder away.

"Does it hurt?"

Ayato glared down at her as best as he could but her presence melted away some of his bitter anger. "Just don't touch me."

She sat up abruptly, forcing him to move back to accommodate her.

"What's wrong? I didn't know you'd be flustered over a little seduction."

"Don't you dare turn into another Cordelia. You're better than that piece of shit."

Yuuki's expression hardened. "Don't curse, Ayato. It's not nice. And don't compare me to that horrid lady either."

"Well then stop acting like her."

"I'm not, you coward. Or maybe you think that sort of thing's reserved for your beloved mother!"

"Why, you-"

Enraged, Ayato snatched a pillow and whacked it across her head without holding back. The petite blonde fell against the padded headboard, where she crumpled up like a wayward child upon impact. A minute ticked past and an awkward silence descended upon the two. When she finally dared look up at him, her face was a tragic painting of regret.

"Oh, Ayato. What have I done?" Yuuki asked in horrified, hushed tones. Behind a film of tears, her eyes were once more a glistening light pink.

The boy just stared at her dumbfounded, unable to give her an answer.

How could he be so stupid? Just a moment ago, he thought he was going to lose her forever. And now he kept pushing her away until the poor girl came to feel that she was the one at fault or undesirable. In reality, he was just trying to cherish her.

Feeling guilty for his behavior, Ayato extracted Yuuki from her mournful location and enveloped her in a hug.

She instinctively returned the embrace, the wordless expression of his apology and affection.

"I've become a monster," the petite blonde cried out between muffled sobs.

"No. We're not monsters, Yuuki." Ayato said as he kissed her hair and the tears running down her cheeks. "We're vampires."

He was far too gentle for her.

"I'm so so sorry," she whimpered as he rocked her back and forth. He was amazed at himself. Nobody had ever done such a thing for him, so he could not say where he'd learned to act in such a way. At least it seemed to be working...

Eventually, her energy was totally depleted.

"I'm tired." Yuuki mumbled, drying off the last of her waterworks.

Ayato yawned a me too...

Yuuki snuggled up to him and they found themselves huddled like a couple of penguins under the blanket. She discovered a strange fascination with his hair, to which he playfully grew frustrated. After amusing herself adequately, she felt content to just observe Ayato silently, waiting for drowsiness to set in. This is where she felt safe - secure in Ayato's forgiving arms.

"Thank you."

"What did you say?"

He absently picked at the quickly-healing injury on his neck. At least she was still too young to produce any poison. That might've inflicted some real damage.

"You heard me perfectly fine."

"Nu-uh. Speak clearly, pancake. Or I can't understand."

What she was feeling couldn't be said in words. So she spoke through her actions.

Ayato didn't quite register the fact that she had just pecked him on the lips. It was quick, soft, and chaste, but it utterly undermined his manliness.

"Oi, pancake..." the vampire growled in a mock threat.

Yuuki pretended to be asleep. He smirked and pinched her tiny nose

"Alright, alright. You win this time." Ayato conceded before deciding to follow suit.

Women could be terrifying when they were angry.