I clutch the vile of blood tightly. The vile containing Kaname's blood. The blood that could change me forever if I decide to drink it or if I'm forced to drink it. Yet I don't know if I want to go through with that. What would it mean for Kaname, Zero, and me? I'd be more connected to Kaname since his blood will be coursing through my veins. Awakening the vampire in me. Turning me like him. A pureblood other vampires will have no choice, but to follow. I don't think I can live up to that. I may be a natural born leader, but I'm not honed in that talent to lead a thing. But I don't have a choice right now.

"I-I understand." I say looking up at Kaito.

"You're going through with this?!" Zero questions me hurt. I look towards his hurt expression, and look away.

"I don't really know. I'm going to rely on my own power." I tell him with a small smile. I see a hint of relief in his eyes, but it's not enough to him.

"Don't be stubborn! If you have to take it you will take it!" Kaito yells out at me.

"Have a little faith in me! I can do this!" I yell right back, and stand up to meet his gaze head on. "Now, are we going or what?" I question putting the vile in my bra. What? I don't have another convenient hiding spot. Kaito shakes his head, and hands me a chain.

"Wear it around your neck." I mimic him silently, and pull out the vile. Putting the chain on it, and putting it around my neck. hiding the vile under my shirt.

"Now?" I question. Kaito sighs, and nods his head. I smile, and he opens the door for me. I start walking towards it, but stop, and turn back.

"I'm going to be okay." I say putting my hands on Kaname and Zero's heads. I look at them with a smile, and then kiss each of their cheeks. I stand up straight, and look over at Ichiru. I hug him tightly, and he too holds me back.

"Be careful." He whispers to me.

"Yes, sir!" I say with a salute. He forces a smile, but he's still worried about me. It's sweet, but I don't want them worrying needlessly about me.

I wave at them one last time, and exit. Kaito closes the door behind us, and I follow the only path there is back to President Cross's office. My heart pounds with every step I take. It's scary, but I have to go through with this.

Maybe when I'm set on one thing. . .I'll decide if I want Kaname to turn me or not. Or if I even want to be with him. It's all a mess right now, but I can't think about my issues right now. I have to focus on rescuing Yagari-sensei right now, getting the Senate to trust me, and making sure they don't start to hurt me.

"Remember, the play fight." I arch an eyebrow.

"What? When was this?" I question him.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that?" He questions me. I can just see the sarcasm rolling off of him.

"You're so lucky I was in Drama Class. I can improv this easily." I say with a snap of my fingers. Kaito shakes his head, and turns me around to start walking out again.

"Now do I start a struggle now or when we get into President Cross's office?" I question him.

"When we get into his office." He says. I nod my head, and we head in.

"How was your training, Alondra?" President Cross questions me. I look over at Kaito. I don't even know if there's some kind of cue. He shakes his head.

"It was fine. In just a week too." I say with a grin. He smiles, and nods his head.

"Alright. Are you prepared then?" I get serious, and nod my head.

"I'm ready." I hold my guns for a moment before hiding them again. I run past Headmaster, and rush out the way I came a week ago.

I hear hunters call after me, and I try to seem distraught, and hurt. I'm sure I've gotten the attention of spies of the Senate. They must be calling them in now. It won't be long before they catch me.

I bust out of the main headquarters, and make my way out of the hunters village. I don't dare look back. Going through with this is kind of exciting. Maybe it's just the thrill of the hunter blood in me. I try not to smile though, and look like I'm a lost lamb ready to be taken by a pack of wolves. I trip, but that's not part of the act.

"Well, that's embarrassing." I sit up on my knees, and pretend to look shocked as a crowd of vampires surround me. They were just waiting for me, weren't they? Well, I'm glad that this went by very quickly.

I look at them all. Looks like they weren't going to take any chances. They sent big strong guys for me. They must think I'm that talented. Looks like I'm being overestimated for once. I don't know whether I should be proud of that though. Or they thought I would have company with me that would protect me. Yikes...

"W-who are you?" I question the vampires. They all laugh, and look at me. I was kind hoping for verbal interaction, but it looks like they weren't having it. I yell out as one of them grabs me, and throws me over their shoulder.

"STOP! PUT ME DOWN!" I yell out getting fearful of this moment. Maybe this was the wrong vampires.

"Shut up!" A hard hit aims for my temple. Instantly taking me out of my conscious state.

                           ~0~

"Ow." I wake with a start, and touch my throbbing temple. Not in anger this time though. Although that would have been way better than this.

I sit up, and find myself in a dark space. The only light comes from the one above me. I shield my eyes from the light, and look back down instead. I reach to my thighs, but I find my guns are gone.

"Looking for these?" I jump at the sound of a deep male, monotonous voice. I look up, and find a blond man, blond beard, piercing green eyes, and just a plain intimidating presence. It's worse than Kaname's presence. At least I can tolerate his, but he houses pure aura that pushes people away. He has my two guns in a satchel, looks like they didn't want to touch them.

"Where am I, and who are you?" I question him.

"You're in the Senate's interrogation facility. I am Asato Ichijo, but to you I shall be addressed as 'Ichio-sama'." I arch an eyebrow at his sudden demand, but then I remember the plan. I nod my head.

"Yes, Ichio-sama." I answer him, just to let him think he's got me where he wants me. Though, I can't say that he doesn't either. I'm in a dangerous place now, there are no allies here.

"A-are you going to hurt me?" I question him. That stutter wasn't an act. This is really starting to seem like too much for me, but I've already gotten this far. I can't stop now.

"Not if you cooperate." He tells me sternly. I nod my head, and put a hand to my chest. It looks like they didn't take the vile of blood. That's good. I think. Looks like they didn't look me over for anything else other than my guns.

"Okay. I understand, Ichio-sama." I tell him keeping my eyes downcast. I hate looking submissive, but it's the only shot I got to get them to trust me.

"What do I have to do?" I question him after a moment of silence.

"Just follow my orders, and stay at my side until we have use of you." I nod my head.

"May I stand?" I question him.

"You may." I do so, and don't meet his eyes. I think this is what women did back in the old days. I'm sure he'd approve of that.

"Tell me, why did you run away from the Hunters Association?" Uh oh. Looks like I didn't think that far ahead! This is bad! I have to think of something fast!

"They were using me unfairly. I wouldn't stand for that, and anyway. The Hunters Association doesn't have what I want. For example. . .To become a vampire. They frown upon that, and I can't seem to agree on their views." I question meeting his eyes, so he can take my lie for honesty. He stares at me for a moment before turning away.

"Come, Alondra." I nod my head, and walk to the left of him. Keeping at a respectable distance from him. Hopefully this works. His expression is so blank, I really can't tell what he's thinking. I truly can't decipher if he believes my words or not. Oh well, I can't falter now, I just have to keep up the act. He has to buy it eventually if I stay confident.

                                          ~0~

I sit in a windowless room. It's better decorated than the room I was in before. Almost fit for a princess. Yet it feels like a prison nonetheless. A prison disguised in luxury would describe it best.

I run my fingers through the black silk sheets. Surprisingly they decorated to my style. How they know that is beyond me. Who knows how much about me they know. They didn't come for me when I was younger and far more vulnerable, so... 

I smile, and lie back. "They're really trying to impress me, and get me on their side. So, I guess we're both working for trust." I sigh, and put my hand to the vile resting on my chest. I have to keep this vile of blood safe. They can't know I have this back up plan.

"I hardly exchanged any words with Zero at all. I wonder what he would have said if he were in Kaname's place that night? It's unfair. I'd gladly offer my blood to Zero, but I hesitate with Kaname. I thought I wanted to be a vampire, but boy was I wrong. It's a scary thought. Still. This won't convince me, but I have to convince them in order to find a way towards Yagari-sensei. Somehow." I groan, and turn to my other side. Looks like it's another night of restlessness.

I get out of bed instead, and look around at the four walls around me. Only a single open door is there, which is the entrance to the bathroom. The other door is locked, and that leads to my freedom, and more. I walk around looking at the decorations, and stuff. A lump on the carpet nearly makes me fall over, but I catch myself. I regain my balance, and look at the carpet.

I kneel down next to the lump, and lift up the carpet. I grin as I see a trapdoor. They must be really dumb and forgetful if they put me in such a convenient room. Or they seriously thought I wouldn't find this door. Either way, how lucky of me! I have to believe that they bought my lie and trusted I would be in this room like a good girl. Yes!

"I bet they didn't think I'd find this." I grin, and open it. I yelp as it creaks loudly. I pause, and listen for any footsteps. I sigh in relief, and try again, but fast this time. It creaks, but not as badly as before.

I wrinkle my nose as a horrible stench escapes the opening. I gag, but suck it up, and look for a lamp or something to take down with me. I find nothing, and resign to the fact that I'm going to have to blindly look around in darkness. I gulp, and find the courage to jump in before I change my mind. I think they expected the darkness and stench would keep me from going down. They don't know me at all.