"I'm so bored. Bored as hell. Ugh!" I slump my head down as I work on my pottery. It is fun to learn, but boy is it a hard process for me. I need more than like a half hour of practice each day. I suppose some practice is good enough, like when I do hunter training.

"Eeep!" I jump as someone pokes my sides. "Ow! What the hell?!" I look back to find a friend of mine laughing at me. I glare at her. She's so lucky I don't cause trouble with so many witnesses around. I'll get her back for this on the down low. I got an appearance to keep up.

"Is something bothering you? You seem very distracted?" I look over at Kaname, who sits on the potter's wheel to the left of me. He's so cute just sitting there! 

"No, I'm just lamenting school like any other day, but at least my day is over after this class." I say with a smile. That motivates me enough to keep working on my mess.

"Finally. I'm tired of this furnace." Zero says to me as he sits on the potter's wheel to the right of me. Well, it can't be too cold in here, now can it? At least he's talking to me and has calmed down since yesterday. I look over at him, and smile at him too.

"Yeah, I agree with you." I say laughing to him. I'm so relieved that things didn't stay weird between us. Oh and that I was also able to talk normally to Kaname again after yesterday too.

"What?" I say observing Zero, who's looking all weird at me again. Well, looks like he's not over it completely. Well shit...

"Nothing." And then he gets all defensive. I roll my eyes at him, and work on my disaster of a bowl. I sigh, and stop halfway.

"That doesn't look finished." Kaname mentions something that is fairly obvious to me.

"Yeah. If I keep going it'll get all lopsided. It always happens, so I need my teacher to finish it up for me." I say with a wink. Yep, I've given up on the bowl.

"You're something else, you know that?" I chuckle at the insult, and actually try it on my own. Even if I know it's going to be a disaster. Like usual.

"Yes, I really am. But you know you love me." I say jokingly, and it's fun to make him blush. Though, saying that word to him makes my own cheeks tingle with the threat of a blush.

"Whoa. Thanks for the distraction guys. I actually made a pretty decent bowl!" I say smiling at the well made bowl. Looks like I didn't have to give up on it at all. Sometimes that really changes my mindset, I want to quit, but the rest of me doesn't cooperate and keeps going! Thank you my dear mind and body!

"That's very good. Congratulations, Alondra." Kaname says to me with a gentle smile. I lightly blush at the compliment, and prepare to put it in the drying closet. He's so kind and gentle to me. It feels nice being treated this way. I could learn a thing or two from Kaname with my own behavior. 

This is high school though and it's a jungle where you have to survive among hormonal, angry, jealous, and dumb teenagers who think they know what the world is about. I am included in this.

                                          ~0~

"Okay! Seriously, how does Yagari-sensei get out before me? I'm going to forget how to drive, darn it!" I complain as I find him parked right at the front of the school waiting for Zero, Kaname, and me. I sigh, and drag my feet to the car. I miss driving.

"Why won't you let me drive? I'm seventeen! C'mon!" I complain as I put the seat belt around me.

"Will you stop complaining, and get Black and Blue Rose out of the glove compartment." He tells me sternly.

"What? Why?" I question him as I do as he asks. They're as lovely as I remember them. Which was yesterday, but I like to exaggerate. 

"We're going on a hunt." He tells me. I look up at the bright sunny day. It's warm today and there is no cloud in the sky, this makes no sense at all.

"A vampire out in broad daylight? That's kinda pathet-Oops." I stop as I realize Kaname and Zero are still vampires, who hang around me in broad daylight. "Sorry." I say looking back at them.

"I don't think she should go." Zero says to Yagari-sensei. I arch an eyebrow.

"For once I agree with him." Kaname adds on. I squint my eyes at them. They're doubting me.

"Hey, you guys don't own me. I can make that choice on my own. I'm going." I say to them as I turn back forward. Their refusal to have me go is a challenge that I must answer. It's just in my nature.

"You can't! You haven't trained enough!" Zero yells at me as he jumps on to my lap. Making me jump.

"I have so! I've trained to exhaustion! I think I'm ready to go on an official hunt!" I say to him just as stubbornly.

"It's not a game, Alondra. A hunter's job is serious. If you get hurt I. . ." He grunts, and goes to the backseat again.

"Would he really care?" I blush, and look at the two guns on my lap. I won't deny that the idea of going on a hunt isn't scary, but I have to prove to myself and these more experienced guys that I have what it takes to live up to the expectations of a hunter.

I sigh, and look back at Zero, who I just noticed had also been watching me. I offer him a smile, but he doesn't return it. I think I see actual concern in his eyes.

"I'll be okay. If someone hurts me I'll survive just for you. I promise. You're also there to protect me, right?" He looks at me completely surprised. "Trust me." I tell him again.

"Okay, but I'm still going to make sure you don't get hurt." He tells me. I nod my head.

"Alright, but you may be surprised that I'm the one that's going to save your butt." I stick my tongue out at him as he glares at me. I feel my throat clog up as a very dark aura fills the car. I look at the side view mirror to find a very displeased Kaname. Is this the power of a pureblood? It's so suffocating.

"K-Kaname, are you okay?" I question with a slight crack to my voice. Kaname's eyes open wide. I don't think he noticed he was unleashing his aura. I feel the suffocation dissipating. I breathe out in relief. I look back at him expecting him to answer, but he won't meet my gaze again.

"I think we're getting into the more than friends territory." I mentally state. I blow my bang up. I'm not ready for this kind of conversation to pop its ugly head up. 

"Are we there yet, Sensei?" I question him in order to change the mood.

"No, not yet. So calm down." How can he say that?! Can he not see the awkward- I don't want to say 'love triangle- but I guess that that is what our relationship is coming to. I've never had to choose between two people, and especially not to two people that are very good to me. Oh boy. Please let it be that I'm just over thinking this. Like usual!

                                         ~0~

"Well, this seems fitting, but the problem is that this is a bar, and I'm not exactly twenty one, you know?" I say to Yagari-sensei as he ignores me, and continues towards the bar. "Sensei! Are you even listening?" I question grabbing a hold of his trench coat.

"You'll be fine. You're with me, and you're not going to drink, so stop worrying about the minor details. I swear you're just like Zero when it comes to that." We both blush, and keep our mouths shut.

"They keep looking at us all weird." I whisper over to Yagari-sensei.

"Well if you weren't dressed so scantly clad you probably wouldn't attract so much attention." My temple throbs.

"That's not true! Compared to most girls this is considered a normal dress. Mid-thigh, I'm not revealing too much skin, and I'm also able to walk freely in  this dress." I say to him with a glare. 

"Not that there's much to reveal." I blush, and my temple throbs at Zero's rude comment.

"Shut up you shrimp!" I whisper yell at him. He simply rolls his lilac-gray eyes at me.

I jump as Yagari-sensei tosses me his trench coat. "Cover yourself." I sigh, and put on the over sized trench coat on me. I cough and gag as I step into the smell of cigarettes. Oh well, it makes me feel like less of an object as I'm leered at by middle-aged or older men.

"Ew. Gross. Why does he have to be here?" I complain fanning my watering eyes. Yagari-sensei puts an arm over my shoulder, and lets just say it's plain awkward. I look up at him to find him observing the area around him. I gasp as I nearly step on Zero for not paying attention. All three of them are pressed close against me. Protecting me. Man, what a pain.

"Stay close, and keep quiet. You're the bait I needed to lure out the Level E in here." I look up at him surprised.

"Level E?! Bait?!" I gulp, and slip my hands out of the sleeves of the trench coat to hold on to my Black and Blue Rose for when I might need them.

"Sit down." I do as Yagari-sensei says. I look at all the eyes looking at us.

"Where did Kaname and Zero go?" I whisper over to Yagari-sensei as he pulls out a cigarette. He's so lucky he isn't at my house.

"They're hiding, and watching from the shadows." I nod my head, and sigh. I suppose I'm fine with less attention on us with their presence.

"So we're on surveillance, right?" He nods his head, and points at his trench coat.

"Take the paper out of the right pocket. You'll see who we're looking for." I reach into the pocket, and pull out the rolled up paper. I skip through all the reading, and look at the man's image. I've never seen him before, so it may be a little difficult to know when he's going to show up. Then again hunters are prepared for these things.

I shiver and cross my legs. "What's with you?" Yagari-sensei questions me as he takes a puff of his cigarette.

"Nothing." I lie, but in reality I have to go to the bathroom super bad. I can't though. Two reasons. One: I hate public bathrooms. Two: I'm in a bar full of men, so I doubt there are any bathrooms for women that are safe. I sigh, and resign the fate of my bladder to hold on longer. There's my sign that I should have gone before I left school.

"Hello there." I jump as a voice comes from behind me. I turn back to find a bald fat biker man with an orange goatee looking at me. I shiver, and looking over at Yagari-sensei for help.

"Can we help you?" He questions the man calmly with his eye. I slump my shoulders to try, and look smaller, but that's not working so well since he puts his hands to the back of my chair.

"I don't need your help. Although this little lady here can help me loads." He says, and traces his fingers down my arm. I feel pure disgust.

"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!" I yell out as I push back the chair against his legs. The sound that escapes him lets me know that I hurt him good. I stand beside Yagari-sensei as he stands up. I curse again as the bald man pulls out a pocket knife. Yagari-sensei places me behind him, but not before taking his trench coat back.

"Go outside, Alondra. I can handle this." He says as other men in the bar pull out weapons of their own. I'm here to face a vampire, so there's no point in sticking around to fight these humans. Is this some sort of action movie?! Uh, is this really what happens in a bar?! Such dangerous people!

I quickly rush out of there, and once the door closes behind me I hear the fray inside. I wish I could help, but I'd only get in Yagari-sensei's way. I sigh, and step back slowly before bumping on to someone. I yelp, and turn around abruptly.

"Oh crud." I recognize the man as the picture of the Level E Yagari-sensei showed me.

"Pretty. I wonder if your blood is just as tasty." I feel my heart skip a beat in fear. He grins broadly, and I can see his razor sharp fangs. His eyes glow crimson as his eyes travel to my neck. I gulp, and curse as I realize I left Black and Blue Rose in Yagari-sensei's trench coat. I'm so damn screwed.

I watch the vampire for any sudden movements. The waiting is suffocating me. I'm becoming fearful, and that's never good. It'll cloud my judgement. I won't be able to properly fight this mad vampire if I can't think straight. Not that I could without a weapon. I need to run to safety, but not in the bar. That could put the humans at risk, even if they're gross pigs.

"Smell. . .You smell nice. Give me your. . .BLOOD!" I curse as he charges at me. I duck away as he pounces at me. I find a metal tube near a motorcycle, and I grab it quickly. I rise fast as the vampire also rises. He tilts his head to the side, and laughs.

"You can't escape!" It yells out, and charges at me again. I raise the tube, and swing it down on his head. I hear bone crack, and it makes my own hands throb.

My blood freezes to the core as I see the vampire still rising even though I'm pretty sure I just split his skull from the inside. I believe that's right since blood is oozing out of it's ears and eyes. It continues to grin at me. This thing won't give up until it drains me dry. Yet. I can't. Death is not an option. I swore to Zero that I wouldn't get killed.

I clutch the tube tighter, but I make a run for it while I can. I still hear fighting going on in the bar, but it's the only place I can be safe in. I make it to the door, and it's burst open. Hitting me right on the head. Making me fall, and see black spots.

The black spots that cleared let me see that the vampire was coming at me, and I couldn't move due to my extreme dizziness. Looks like my promise is going to be broken. I can't keep going. My vision won't clear.

I hear a bloodcurdling scream, and maybe a sword. I can't tell with my confused senses. I lower my head, and close my eyes until I feel like the world around me stops spinning. I keep my eyes closed as I rise. Once I rise I slowly open my eyes.

I gasp at the man before me. "Zero? No, wait you're not-" I'm completely confused. I didn't know Zero had a twin.

"Who are you?" I question the man, who simply looks at me with a fake smile.

"Ichiru Kiryu." They're so much alike, but from what I can sense is that he's human. What is going on?

"I guess my big brother hasn't talked much about me. Well, that makes me really sad." If that was acting he really sucks at it. I could just hear the sarcasm in every word he spewed out.

"Ichiru, right? Why are you here? Why did you save me?" He lightly chuckles, and points the tip of his blade to my forehead.

"Careful. Don't jump to conclusions, Alondra, isn't it?" I don't even know if I should answer that.

"What's it to you?" I yelp as he brings the sword down. I open one eye to find it now pointed at my heart.

"Don't get feisty with me. I'm in charge of whether you live or die at this moment." I glare at him, and look at the blade.

"Sorry, but I promised Zero that I wouldn't die. Why did you save me if you were going to do this?" I question him again as I keep my eyes on the blade. So close yet far from my heart. I fear that if I move he'd be much faster, and plunge it right into my heart. I can't risk my life like that. I won't die in vain.

"I need. . .Well, Shizuka-sama needs you alive. We've gotten word from the Senate spies about you, and Shizuka-sama has taken an interest in you." I arch an eyebrow.

"Sorry, but you're going to have to tell this Shizuka lady that I'm not some kind of object she can claim as her own." I tell him throwing a bit of my own smart ass commentary.

"Don't be foolish. Shizuka-sama wants your blood. That is all." I look down, and find that we're standing in sandy area. I gulp, and prepare myself. I slightly move my foot until I pick up enough sand to kick into his face.

It works perfectly. I break for it as Ichiru rubs at his eyes. There's no point in going into the bar. I should either head into the car or just run away from here, but the problem is I'm far from home. What makes things worse is that's it's finally nighttime, and this is the night of vampires. Somehow, without knowing, they too exist in what I used to think was boring town filled with old, cranky people.

I see my car, and rush to it. I dial in the key code to unlock it, and curse as I realize I don't have the car keys. I gasp as I see Ichiru approaching. I lock the car, and crawl to the back seat. Ichiru doesn't look very happy. I look around, but I have no weapons I can use to defend myself.

He turns his sword around, and hits the window to the front. I shield myself as the glass shatters. I open the trap door behind the seat, and quickly exit through the trunk by pulling a yellow thing that seems to open it from the inside. Thank you anti-kidnapping measures!

"Leave me alone! I'm not going to this Shizuka woman!" I yell out at him as he starts to come around, but I run away around the car. This is like a game of cat and mouse. I don't enjoy either role.

"You don't have much of a say in this, Alondra." I keep running around the car as he keeps coming after me. He is totally messing with me! I keep my eyes on him for I fear that he might catch me if I look away.

"Stop it!" I yell out at him as my legs grow tired of the running. Curse this unfit body! Curse my lazy mentality!

"You're getting tired, aren't you?" He says picking up his pace. I gasp, and find some leg strength to run. I make it to the hood of the car, and that is when Ichiru jumps over from the other side. I try to back away, but I nearly trip. He saves me from the fall, but I'm in even more danger in his arms. I try to fight, but he's got a strong grip on me.

"Stop! Let go! Please!" I beg since I don't have any other way. "You can't do this!" I gasp as he nears my ear.

"I can, and I will." I move my face away, and continue my struggle.

"KANAME! ZERO!" I scream with all my might. Hoping that they will hear me. I can't do this alone. I need their help. I have nobody else that can help me, but them.

I wince as I feel a sudden weight on my shoulder that is gone as soon as it got on. Ichiru's arms gone, and turn to find him pulling something off of his face, and throwing it in my direction. I catch what he threw on reflex.

"ZERO!" I gasp as I see his small figure breathing heavily. "Zero, are you okay?" I question his trembling figure in my arms. His face looks pissed off as all hell.

"Zero-"

"Are you a-alright?" I look at him surprised.

"Y-yeah. I'm okay." I say to him in disbelief. I wasn't the one that was thrown like a ragdoll.

"What's this?" Ichiru says taking my attention again. I see the scratches on his face, but he seems to have forgotten about that as he sees Zero in my arms. His lilac-gray eyes are open wide in shock, and then he lowers his head. His shoulders start to tremble. I look down at Zero, who seems like he's expecting something. I jump as I hear Ichiru laugh until he drops to the ground. Zero tenses in my arms only to show how angry he is. I pet his silver hair trying to calm him down.

"We should go." I whisper down to Zero. He growls, and I blink. Isn't he a neko?

"Uh I'm going to take that as a 'do whatever you want'." I say to him, and slowly back away. I duck as Ichiru flings a sword at me. Zero jumps out of my arms, but stands protectively in front of me. I doubt he'd be able to protect me by blocking me. Not the way he looks now.

"What do you want with her?" Zero questions Ichiru.

"Simple really. Shizuka-sama wants her." I notice Zero's tail bristle as Ichiru smugly mentions the name of this Shizuka woman.

"Sorry, but we're not letting any purebloods get their hands on this girl, Ichiru." I turn around abruptly to find Yagari-sensei walking towards us. He looks unscathed. Damn he's good. He got out of it without an injury. I jump when Yagari-sensei grabs my hand. I didn't notice the blood on it before.

"This blood will never go to the purebloods." He says as my blood continues to spill.

"Eh! Ah! Sensei! I'm bleeding! Stop it!" I say starting to get nervous at the blood loss. The only time I don't worry about bleeding is. . .well, you'd understand if you were a biological girl.

"Oh, but this blood will be mine." I jump as a gust of wind blows around cherry blossoms, yet there are no cherry blossoms here. There never have been. I gasp as I see a beautiful woman walk to stand beside Ichiru. Her bare feet not being affected by the stones, glass, and rocks on the ground. Her long white hair blows in the sudden wind. Cherry blossoms appear at her presence. The woman's strangely pink looking eyes look into my plain brown eyes.

"It's you. Such a lovely girl. Tasty." She says smiling darkly at me.

"Shizuka Hio." Yagari-sensei says to the woman as he points his weapon at her. He hands me his trench coat, and I pull out my Black and Blue Rose guns. The woman remains unaffected by this. I don't know who she is, but for sure as hell that she isn't good news. Her dark aura reminds me of the same sensation as Kaname's when he got upset in the car. Uh oh...