[ Disclaimer: I do not own the VK characters nor its storyline in any way. (c) Matsuri Hino. ]

I knew I was going to die.

Today.

I drew a steady breathe. Why did it have to be this beautiful night?

To be ruined with bodies and blood.

Turning to the couch, which was occupied by my wife and children, I grimaced and set my hands within the pockets of my coat. They didn't look happy. Especially Juuri. I wanted, immensely, to comfort her.

And hold her, kiss her, caress her. That was not going to happen, anymore.

I turned away and paced the floor once again.

"Haruka, stop. You'll make a trail in the carpet…" she told me.
I did not look at her when she said that.

I could hear the pain and sadness in her beautiful voice.

I glanced down at my feet.
She was right. I stopped myself by setting my feet in fifth position. I was no ballet dancer, but I knew how to rid my legs of their nerves.

"Daddy?" cried that little voice of Yuuki's, "I'm hungry."

Why did she have to look at me when she said that? I knew the child didn't understand what was going on and I did not want to resist the cute look upon my child's face, but I had to. I just had to. I cocked my head towards Kaname's direction. He gave me this all-hell-is-going-to-break-loose-within-me-if-you-let-her-drink-my-blood-again look. I felt his pain. When we vampires drink someone's blood, that person is driven wild by lust. Juuri was the only female who had ever bitten me. Though I knew I was not the only male who had bitten her.

…ido.

His name echoed through my mind.

"Daddyyyy," she whined.

Giving Yuuki a soft smile, I led her into the next room and left her to sit on the chair for a second while I called for Kaname. He whispered a threat that was so grownup that I couldn't help but shiver.

"…Dad," he had hissed and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, "when this is over, remind me to kill you."
As if Rido wasn't enough already. Meh.

I turned and walked over to Juuri whose flawless face always made my non-beating heart practically pulse. Grabbing those icy hands, I limply held them and smiled warmly. This will not be the last time I look at her, I told myself, which was hard to believe. Impatiently, she cleared her throat . I was so deep in thought that I had forgotten about the live Juuri in front of me.

"Sorry," I beckoned, "this isn't easy for me."

"I know, I know," she soothed, "but I'll be watching you through everything. You know I'm not a fighter."

That's right. You're the heaven-sent angel.

"Mhm…" was all I could say until I, once again, turned away to take my leave. They would be here soon and I, as well as Juuri, could feel it.

"Haruka." she whispered, though it was loud enough for me to hear.

I stopped myself in my tracks.

"I love you."

Those were the last words I that were planted in my mind before I left.