Yuki was lounging on the tatami mat in her room, the dim evening light casting long shadows across the walls. The soft hum of the cicadas outside was the only sound that broke the silence. She stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, when she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," she called out, already knowing it would be her mother.

Mizore slid open the door, her kimono rustling softly as she entered the room. Her expression was calm, but there was something in her eyes that made Yuki sit up.

"Yuki, we need to talk," Mizore said, her voice as steady as always.

Yuki's heart sank. "What is it now? Did Meme get into trouble at school again?"

Mizore shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "No, it’s nothing like that. This is about you."

"Me?" Yuki’s brow furrowed. "What did I do?"

Mizore sat down gracefully on the mat across from her daughter. "It's not what you did, but rather a precaution we’ve had to take."

Yuki felt a chill run down her spine. "A precaution? What do you mean?"

"We've made an arrangement with another clan.. they’ve assigned you a bodyguard."

Yuki stared at her mother in disbelief, her purple eyes wide with shock. "A bodyguard? For me? Why would I need a bodyguard?"

"It’s for your protection, Yuki. The vampire hunters are becoming more active, and with the other clans targeting us, it’s too dangerous for you to be unprotected. The other clan has resources we simply don't have."

Yuki’s hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "So, you’re just handing me over to them? To be watched and followed by some stranger? How could you, Mother?"

Mizore’s gaze remained steady. "This is for your safety. We can’t take any chances, not after what happened last time."

Yuki’s sighed as she gritted her teeth "im going for a walk" she hissed as she stormed out of the house. Fixing her scarf around her neck Thats when she saw you. Her eyes narrowing slightly