"Can I get you anything?" The girl asked with a smile on her face. I pretended like I wasn't staring, but I watched her every move from the corner of my eye.

"No, thanks, we're not here to eat" Xavier waved his hand "unless you're hungry. You should grab something for the road so that you won't get tired" he told me.

"Sure" I nodded, liking the idea of eating anything new that wasn't just mash potatoes and veggies all the time. That's mainly the daily meal of a maid at the castle, and I was encouraged to only feed off them, not their actual food.

"How about a classic sandwich to go? Is that okay?" Xavier asked.

"It doesn't matter to me as long as it doesn't have a lot of potatoes in it" I huffed.

"You really don't like potatoes, don't you?" He chuckled.

"It's not that I don't like them... it's just all I ever ate back home."

"Don't worry, I'll fatten you up in the best way possible" he made it sound a bit sexual from how he said it... I blushed at his concern to keep me healthy and nodded before glancing back at the girl staring at me with sharp eyes.

The abnormal narrow pupil she had gave off the clue that she was definitely a vampire, but they were a lot bigger than I thought how a vampires would be... it's almost impossible to see the narrow part.

She stared at me for a few moments like she was trying to understand what was wrong with my face. I didn't feel nervous for some reason. I just caught myself staring back and tensing up my stare without meaning too... making her look slightly nervous.

"Uh... right" the girl cleared her throat and walked away with the order. I questioned what just happened, but ignored it for now.

Xavier was on his phone while I played with Froakie the whole time we were waiting for the food. The waitress ended up coming back with five clear containers of the same sandwich.

"Huh? What's all this?" Xavier asked as she set them up in front of the chairs around us.

"I just thought that if we're going to be sitting here together and discussing the plan of adventure, we might as well eat while we're at it" she smirked. Xavier and I looked at each other confused "I was being nosy and overheard a few things you were saying before I came by to take your order. I didn't hear it all, so I hope it wasn't too bad of me" she bowed to Xavier instead of the both of us. I narrowed my eyes, feeling a bit offended.

"You said you got your Pokémon from the professor, right? Professor Sycamore? The headmaster?" She asked.

"Yes, that would be correct," he nodded "We're meeting up with some of those students. Are you one of the students?" the girl smiled big, slammed my container in front of me and sat beside Xavier at the end of the table.

"You betcha! I've been waiting forever for you guys! And here I thought girls took a long time to get ready." she chuckled and threw away her feline ears "This job was annoying. I can finally quit now that we're leaving!" I looked at the container in front of me. What's with her slamming it?

"I didn't expect to meet you like this" Xavier laughed with her. I peaked at him smiling at her and it made me looked down, feeling odd about him smiling at someone else that wasn't me...

"I did. That was the point. I was going to do my last shift before leaving for good. I knew we were meeting here, but you came later than expected, so I got stuck here a little longer" she waved her hand, not wanting him to worry about it "Don't worry about the pay." she glanced at me with the same sharp and sassy eye as before. I blinked confused "It's on the house."

"Really?! Thanks" Xavier smiled. I huffed and thanked her as well.

"No problem" just by the way she was looking at me, confirming that she was a vampire was a success. Vampires have this odd stare only they can make whenever they know they're stronger than other vampires. I don't know what her plan is to join a group of hunters or whatever, but I'm not letting her get her way on anything.

"I'm Shauna, I'm a Pokémon Trainer, as well as a Vampire Mortician. Nice to meet you" she told only Xavier instead of me again. She's got to be kidding me... She's a mortician?!

A mortician is a person who prepares a body for funerals and such. In Vampirism, they're considered spell makers and take blood from vampires after they die and make a profit, often working with hunters.

"Impressive. It takes a lot for a girl to be a mortician. I like your guts" Xavier said. I rolled my eyes "nice to meet you. I'm X. I'm a trainer as well, and a hunter" she nodded and looked at me, waiting for an answer.

"I'm Y" I rather not give her my name. She cannot be trusted. "That's all" she stared at me for a long moment before making a face.

"That's it? Don't you have anything special on you? I heard you guys were traveling together. Was that a joke?" I glared at her attitude "The professor said nothing about another girl. It's too dangerous for a simple girl like you to join along" she leaned closer to take a better look into my eyes. I glared her down, making her cower a little...

I believed I heard her sniff me... She was trying to read my scent, but it was unidentifiable.

"Don't worry about me" I snapped, catching Xavier off guard "I'll be fine, thank you" She leaned away calmly and waved at a random direction.

"Hey, guys! There you are! We're here!" She glanced at me, noting that she wasn't talking about me. I looked at Xavier looking at me worriedly, not understanding what got into me. I don't even know what happened.

I never met a regular vampire in person before, so I don't know why I acted that way compared to how I act in front of humans. Mom had told me something really important way before I got locked up when I was younger.

"Royal vampires have power over other vampires. We are above everyone. Our inner powers will come out and claim the top spot if another vampire tries climbing over you."

So that's what it is... I never got the chance to experience this power—the power of a royal.

"They also don't know anything about the council, the Elite four, or us... They don't know about the bond that can kill them if we end up dying... All they know is that they may lose power.  It'll prevent chaos"

"Even vampires don't know..." I said before looking at Xavier sitting back down after greeting the two boys walking towards the two seats in front of us. I looked down and used my hair to hide my face, seeing them already staring.

"It's good to see you all, finally" Xavier said "We just ran into Shauna in the middle of her working, and she got us some food" the boys looked at Shauna, grinning.

"What a troublemaker, you are" the red-headed boy sweatdropped.

"Thanks!" She joked.

"Anyways. Sorry we're late. Tierno here wouldn't stop dancing with his Pokémon" the redhead mentioned the tall guy next to him. He just laughed.

"Nice to finally meet you. I'm Tierno" the tall guy said "I'm a Pokémon trainer and a Protector" So he protects the public from vampire attacks when the hunter is at work with the individual threat. It's wonderful to know such a young person around my age can handle a job like that, but doesn't that take years to perfect? I can say the same for Xavier.

"I'm Trevor," the redhead waved "I'm a Pokémon trainer too, as well as a Vampire Observer" an observer? As in someone who observes vampires to find weak points and research? Someone who helps a hunter whose fighting the threat and yell out pointers for a better battle between just the two of them?

"That's very impressive. You both are very young. I admire those who devote their life to helping others" I smiled. The two boys blushed at me and smiled. I looked down nervously and stroked Froakie's back to soothe myself.

Xavier introduced himself in the single letter his mom and everyone else calls him by and pointed at me being all shy and blushing.

"And this is Y. She'll be joining us on the journey" he pointed out without any regards of caring what they say. The boys frowned at each other, knowing that was a sudden move, while Shauna leaned on the table with her elbow while eating her food.

"Bad idea" she said with her mouth full.

"Um... hold up a second" Trevor raised his hand to slow down everyone's thoughts "What do you mean she's joining us? I didn't hear from the professor that we're having someone else coming along. Not that it's a big deal, but why is this so sudden..?"

"Well, we don't know what we're going to be going up against. This may be in our benefit" Tierno shrugged. Shauna snorted and looked away. "The more, the better. What's your profession?" I looked at him for a second and already started seeing hearts in his eyes "Wow... you're really pretty" H-Huh??

"E-Excuse me?" I blushed hard. I felt a dark aura coming from Xavier. I flinched and looked at him looking down with his eyes covered, looking scary. I nervously laughed and looked back at the group waiting for me to talk.

"I-I..." I took a deep breath, "I don't have a profession... I'm just Y, and I'm very uncomfortable with being stared at..." Xavier frowned when I pointed that out "I don't want to start off this topic with a lie, so I'm basically telling you who I am as a person. I'm... weak and can't walk on my own. I'm shy and cry a lot... not to mention that you can say I'm allergic to a... specific kind of smell" Shauna nearly choked and wiped her lips "I also don't own a Pokémon anymore..."

"Did you just admit how useless you are?" I glared at her "You literally just put fuel in the fire."

"She's right..." Trevor frowned "I appreciate your honesty and loyalty right away, but to know you don't even have a Pokémon? That's-" Tierno raised his hand to stop him.

"If I may ask, what happened to your Pokémon?" I bit my lips at the question and looked down at Froakie looking up at me.

"I was home..." I can't tell them precisely what happened, but I'll have to twist the story a bit to protect my identity. Xavier might catch the lie... but I have to explain at least what happened "I was in a vulnerable state... The Elite Four had killed my friend... and my Pokémon attacked the one responsible and injured him. I ran away after that to get him help, but it was too late..." Shauna grew pale while the boys stood up in shock.

"The Elite Four!?" Trevor gasped "You mean... the actual Elite Four?!" I nodded, staring deeper into my legs. Xavier sat back down and held my shoulder.

"Hey, what do you mean by that? You never told me-" I shook my head rapidly.

"I'm trying not to overthink it!" I yelled out a little "I'm sorry... Only one was around... She was outside my place. I was out before seeing what she did to my friend. Dedenne attacked and got kicked. I couldn't save my friend, and I hoped I could have at least saved my Pokémon..." he frowned at me, watching me crying to myself before hugging my head. I shut my eyes, trying to stop them.

"It's a miracle you survived..." Tierno frowned "I'm sorry I asked... I don't think it's a good idea for you to come with us. Not only because those monsters might be looking for you for whatever reason, we just don't want anyone holding us back."

"Yeah, my words exactly" Trevor said. Shauna didn't say a thing and just leaned on her chair, taking in everything I just said. Xavier patted my head and leaned on the table.

"She's coming with me" he demanded, "I believe in my abilities to protect her. I know she'll be useful!" The two boys looked at each other, unsure.

"In what way?" Trevor asked.

"She's a Specialist!" I widened my eyes. A specialist..? But that's someone who knows how to do every job this group knows how to do. Everyone in the table looked dumbfounded.

"A specialist? But you're so young. I would understand you being an observer like me to understand them more, but a specialist at your age? That can't be possible" Trevor said.

"She knows a lot more about Vampirism than what the hunter browser does! If she comes with us, she can be a big help!" Xavier stood from his chair and leaned his hands on the table to look at everyone, "She's my secret weapon!"

"Is that so..?" The boys whispered to each other to think it over while Shauna stood up and held her hips.

"I still think it's a bad idea. You may be smart and probably skillful, but I don't buy it. Besides, even if you are a Specialist, you're still weak and spineless" she looked away with a huff "having a specialist is a true blessing and hard to come by, but we're better off without one if it means it's you who has to join us" my instincts kicked in without my control. I stood up to tower over her small body and lifted her chin with my finger, making her freeze and see the deadly look in my eyes.

"Dear, don't act all tough. You take care of the dead bodies, not the living ones. What can you possibly do? You're just a small little worm who wants to act tough to replace your shameless weight" she gasped as I slowly backed away in shock, not believing what I just said without thinking. She was shedding tears...

"I-I..." I slowly looked at Tierno and Trevor, reaching out for their back pocket, aiming to reach for something. I gulped and watched Xavier stand in front of me.

"Enough of this. We're letting her come with us. I don't care what you think of her"

"What was that?" Trevor furrowed his brows "She acted like a..."

"What? Were you going to Vampire? Would a vampire cry or even have the ability to hold a Pokémon without it getting scared?" Xavier defended me. The boys slowly removed their hands from their pockets and nodded. I looked back at Shauna wiping her tears away and took a deep breath to pretend she didn't just get hurt.

A vampire with emotions... I always knew them to be emotionless monsters. Who is this girl..?

"Forgive us... It kind of threw us off guard" Trevor frowned. I bowed to them.

"I'm sorry... I got offended and defended myself" Tierno crossed his arms.

"If she can make Shauna cry, she must have some balls. It's really worth a try... We can just travel together until we get to the academy. We'll talk to the professor about it then" Trevor agreed.

"Right... That'll give Y the chance to see if she's capable of surviving the real world and show us what she's able to provide for us when we need her" he looked at me "Are you okay with that? The professor might not accept you, but it'll give you a chance to see a glimpse of what we train for" I quickly nodded.

"I'm always willing to do anything I can put my mind to!" I bowed deeply to everyone "I'll try not to be a burden... Thank you for this opportunity!"

Once everything was settled, we all sat back down and ate our food before it was time to go. Xavier talked to the boys about his training and how he was known as the Chemical X hunter, a specific kind of hunter that comes around every other generation under one family and holds the rare blood type X that repels vampires and pretty much, humans, with the smell.

While the two new teammates were impressed to have a special hunter on their side, I kept noticing Shauna staring at me and Froakie spending time with me. Every time I look at her, she turned away with a pout.

I'm not sure I can understand her very clear... She's a full vampire who works with hunters and crafters, not to mention she cried after I insulted her without me meaning it. She smells like a vampire and even has the narrow pupils that are barely seen by the naked human or regular vampire eye... I just don't understand.

"Let's get a move on. It's still early, so by the time we pass the Santalune Woods, the sun should still be up" Trevor got up and walked off with Tierno "We'll meet with you guys by the entrance. I'm sure you want to talk" Xavier nodded and waved. I watched Shauna rush over to follow them after glancing at me for a moment and left.

"Yannie" Xavier spoke before looking at me staring at the floor "Was what you said true..?"

"Do I have to answer that?" He sighed.

"I know you were telling the truth. I'm just surprised you didn't tell me. Of course, you're hurt..." he looked down "An Elite Four member... why would they bother?"

"Because of who I am" I hugged Froakie "They got mad a human found out about me and killed her while I was away."

"Away?"

"I was hiding so I could read through dad's journal" I sniffled "I should have told you first" he wrapped his arms around me. Froakie jumped on his shoulder so he could hold me close and kiss my head.

"It's going to be okay... I told you, you're with me. I have hope" right... hope. He took my hand and walked me away from our table. "Yannie..." he glanced away "everything you said was true, but there was a lie in there as well" I froze "When you said you were vulnerable. You weren't" he sighed "at least, not in the way you explained" I see...

I was vulnerable from seeing my friend dead, but I wasn't vulnerable enough to show my anger. I attacked that demon with my own claws without knowing how much power I had in me. Either way, there was some vulnerability in there that I just can't explain to him or tell him why it's not what he thinks

Xavier took my silence into consideration and held my hand "Come on. I'm sure you'll love the woods. There are trees everywhere" I smiled at that and followed him where everyone was waiting.

These people may not trust me because I'm involved with the Elite Four... but I'm grateful they're giving me a chance. I hope this professor will accept me and let me join them, but I'm not so sure since I'm useless at the moment... I shocked myself that I was able to attack Drasna, but until I choose to accept Xavier's blood, I don't think I'll ever have the strength to be helpful to anyone.