And so, the weekend was over. Jin and Suzume made up. Joli finally confessed to herself that she likes Jin. Jia Li and Toshiro and closer and cuter than ever. Momoka, well, Momoka is fourteen. Sumomo and Shikon’s date went horribly.

“I can’t believe we let her get us,” Shikon cursed as he helped a limping Sumomo down the hallway. “I mean, she’s nothing more than a human!” Sumomo tried to shush her husband. After all, they were in the school.

“Shikon, it’s fine, this will heal by the end of the day,” Sumomo tried to reassure him. Shikon just cursed again and hoisted her up so she could walk better. They had told Mitsuko, Claudio and Bella about the new threat to the Vitae Clan. They’d have to put the Acerbus Clan on the backburner for now. A vampire hunter was a serious thing.

“Well, I still don’t like the fact that she hurt you,” Shikon was almost pouting. Sumomo couldn’t help, but giggle. Even in a situation like this, where there was a threat to their family and Sumomo was injured, Shikon could always make her smile.

“Don’t worry, like you said, she’s one human,” Sumomo smiled, “besides, we outnumber her by quite a lot, we just need to be careful.” Shikon nodded and then dropped Sumomo off at her classroom. He kissed her fully, much to her class’s embarrassment and then winked as he walked to his room. Sumomo turned to her class and blushed. “Please turn your attention to the blackboard where I’ve listed your teams,” Sumomo coughed.

For the first time in his seventeen years of life, Ito Keiji was late to school. For Jin, it was an everyday occurrence, but at least Jin ended up making to homeroom. Keiji would be lucky if he made it by first period. He finally made it through the front doors of Takasaki High School. He whipped around a corner and nearly knocked a girl over.

“Ah, sorry!” Keiji apologized quickly. “Oh, Kano-san,” he looked at Suzume. She was turned away from him, facing the ground. Her long red ringlets seemed shorter than usual.

“How did you know my name?” the girl turned around. It wasn’t Suzume at all. She had the same face, the same hair, but her eyes were more lavender as opposed to Suzume’s copper-colored ones.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else,” Keiji bowed his head and began to pick up the papers that the girl had dropped. “Ah,” he picked up a paper that had her name on it, “your kanji, it starts with the same character as mine,” he pointed to the paper. “How do you say it?”

“Keirin,” the girl smiled. Keiji figured she had at least be a senior. “And you are?”

“Ito Keiji, but Keiji-kun is fine,” he bowed again. He helped her get the remaining papers on the ground and handed them to her. “Are you new today?”

“Actually, yes,” Keirin flashed him another smile that made the junior melt. “I was on my way to Principal Vitae’s office, but I got a little lost.”

“I’ll show you were it is,” Keiji grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of the office. It was his lucky day. Sure he’d been late, but if being late made him able to meet hot girls, so be it. Keiji suddenly had a memory of Toshiro bragging about all the girls he’s dated, but how Jia Li was the cutest. Keiji couldn’t picture himself dating a freshman girl, he liked them older. And this new senior was just his type.

“Thank you,” Keirin bowed her head. “Perhaps I’ll see you around?” Keiji adjusted his glasses and smiled broadly. Keirin turned and walked into the office. He’d have to get her number later. Maybe she’d be in one of his advanced classes.

The school day went by excruciatingly slowly. Sumomo divided her homeroom into groups and had them each read the same article on cheeses and determine which cheese would be the best for which situation: dates, romantic getaways, etc. Cheese seemed to be a theme in Sumomo’s lectures. Shikon, on the other hand, had to deal with a bragging Toshiro and an overly cute Jin and Suzume in his class. He did notice that Joli looked a little sad and made sure that the topic discussed during homeroom stuck with what books they were reading as opposed to the weekend’s dates.

“I’m telling you,” Toshiro puffed as he, Jin and Keiji walked to gym class. “Jia Li is the best girl, I mean, she’s sweet and caring and-”

“She beats you daily,” Keiji offered. Toshiro nodded and then blinked.

“What? No!” Toshiro fumed. “We’re getting along just great,” he crossed his arms over his chest. “She even kissed me,” Toshiro bragged and then he put a hand over his own mouth, eyes wide.

“What did you say…?” Jin’s voice was cold and it sounded almost inhuman. It was too late for Toshiro to take it back now. Just as Jin was about to deliver his killing move, Suzume stepped in.

“Hey boys,” Suzume grinned, copper eyes shining. “I’m so glad you’re getting along.” Jin immediately removed his hands from around Toshiro’s neck and pushed the blonde into Keiji. “Are you excited for the new gym teacher?”

“Oh yeah, it’ll probably be some old bat, right?” Toshiro sure could recover easily. Suzume glared playfully at him.

“If you think my aunt is an old bat,” Suzume teased. Toshiro’s blue eyes went wide and he started bowing at Suzume’s feet. “Honestly, Toshiro, don’t make a scene,” Suzume looked around nervously.

“Sorry, Suzume-chan,” Toshiro stood up and scratched the back of his head nervously. “I forgot that you said your aunt was coming to teach here.” Suzume just shook her head and smiled.

“Nii-chan!” Momoka’s voice came from the end of the hallway. The group turned to see Momoka and Jia Li walking toward them. “Hi, Su-chan,” Momoka smiled at Suzume. “I heard that your aunt is the new gym teacher.” Suzume nodded.

“I hope she’s better than that perv, Yoshino-sensei,” Li stuck her tongue out. “He made us wear those tiny volleyball shorts even on cooler days; I thought my legs would freeze off.”

“Aww, I bet you looked really sexy in those little shorts, China Doll,” Toshiro had magically appeared by her side and was now pushing her chin-length black and red hair out of her face.

“I thought I told you not to call me that, Chun Cai,” Li growled and punched him in the side of the face. Toshiro cradled his cheek, fake tears building in the corner of his eyes.

“Li-chan, you’re so mean, I thought we had something special,” he blubbered and Li rolled her eyes. She grabbed his hand and dragged him down the hallway and into the gym. The two disappeared through the double doors, but Toshiro quickly leaned around the corner to give a final victory sign to Keiji and Jin.

“How is she dating that idiot,” Jin raised an eyebrow. Momoka just giggled. “So, what’s your aunt like, Su?” he turned to the red-head.

“You’ll see,” she smiled as the four of them walked into the gym. The gymnasium was packed. Because the new gym teacher was taking over all the gym classes, most of the other classes had been cancelled so all of her students could meet her at once. Jin and the others joined Toshiro and Jia Li on one of the lower bleacher seats.

“Sorry man, I would have scored some higher ones so we could talk, but they were all taken,” Toshiro explained and Jin shrugged. “Guess we have to pay attention now.” Keiji rolled his eyes and they all turned their attention to the center of the basketball court where Principal Vitae now stood. The crowd’s murmuring diminished and the gym was suddenly silent.

“Hello students,” Principal Vitae’s voice boomed in the echoing room. He flashed a dazzling smile that made most of the female teachers, the human female teachers, swoon.

“Look,” Momoka pointed to the other side of the gym where the rest of the school was sitting. “It’s Nou-sensei,” she turned to Li, “I didn’t know the teachers were going to be here as well.”

“Well, what else are they going to do,” Li popped her neck and leaned her head on Toshiro’s shoulder. “I mean, classes were cancelled.” Momoka nodded and they turned their attention back to Claudio.

“I’m glad that you all took time out of your busy schedules to come here,” Principal Vitae flashed another blinding smile. “I know you’re all upset about having to miss your classes.” That comment elicited a few chuckles, but most of the students were getting bored. “Alright, now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” he lifted his arm and gestured to his right.

“Man, he’s certainly making this seem like a dinner show,” Toshiro giggled and Li smacked him on the chest, though, she agreed with him.

“May I introduce your new gym teacher, Kano Keirin-san,” Claudio began clapping his hands and soon the gym was alive with apathetic applause.

“Wow,” Toshiro’s blue eyes were the size of saucers. “She is really hot!” The group inspected their new teacher. She looked so young, maybe twenty or twenty-one. She actually looked just like Suzume, save for her hair being a little shorter and her eyes being lavender in color. “That’s your aunt?” Toshiro turned wide eyes on Suzume.

“Yep,” Suzume smiled. “She’s actually only twenty-one, she was four when I was born,” she giggled, “my grandparents call her their ‘little surprise’,” Suzume put a hand over her mouth delicately.

“Wow,” Jin hugged Suzume close to him, “well, she’s not as pretty as you, but she is rather good looking,” he turned to Keiji, “wouldn’t you say, Keiji?” Keiji didn’t answer. His jaw was nearly touching the floor. His eyes were bugged out comically with his glasses askew.

“Man, I know she’s hot, but keep it in your pants, really,” Toshiro joked and shoved the bespectacled brunette. “Kage, what’s up with you?” He asked when the boy didn’t respond.

“She’s…” Keiji seemed to disappear into a void of black, “she’s Kano-san’s aunt…” his glasses caught the light and hid his eyes. “Aunt…”

“Snap out of it, man,” Toshiro shoved him, but to no avail.

“Looks like someone just found out his potential girlfriend is too old for him,” a matter-of-fact sounding voice came from behind them. The group turned to see Mitsuko sucking on a lollipop. “Of course, if she’s only twenty-one, that’s not too old.”

“Of course, you’d know all about being old,” Li hissed under her breath. Of course, Mitsuko heard it, but completely ignored the Chinese girl’s insult. Besides, they didn’t know just how old she was anyway.

“Hey,” Momoka pointed across the gym to Sumomo and Shikon, “Nou-sensei and her husband are starring at Kano-sensei,” the group turned to look.

“So, everyone is, she’s super hot!” Toshiro exclaimed. Li quickly brought her elbow down roughly on his head. “Ouch, but she is,” Toshiro whined, “of course, no one is hotter than you, China Doll,” he added quickly.

“Stop calling me that, Chun Cai!” flames burned behind Li’s brown eyes as she leaned closer to Toshiro, ready for the kill.

“Wait, they’re looking at her like they’re terrified,” Jin furrowed his brows. “That’s weird…” he looked toward Momoka, who nodded. Something fishy was going on with the vampires and they were going to find out what it was.

“What’s she doing here?” Shikon growled deep in his throat. He and Sumomo were staring at the new gym teacher. The younger girl was smiling and greeting the new students.

“Shikon, calm down, we can’t do anything about her now, not in a gymnasium full of students,” Sumomo put a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “We’ll let Daddy know that she’s the one and he’ll have to let her go.”

“Yeah, that won’t look suspicious,” Shikon rolled his eyes. “Oh, sorry, found out that you’re a vampire hunter and most of the school faculty is made up of them, so you’ll have to leave…” Sumomo sighed. That did sound pretty bad.

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Keirin smiled, her lavender eyes shining. “Like Principal Vitae said, my name is Kano Keirin and I know, I look really young, well,” she paused, “I’m actually the last resort for this occupation. I’m only twenty-one, but I’ve been participating in martial arts since I was five years old, so I am more than qualified to teach physical education.” The students were beginning to get bored again. “Of course, you have the rest of this class period off, so you may return to your homerooms until the end of the day.” The students cheered and then began filing out of the gymnasium.

“Well done,” Claudio smiled at the new teacher. “Thank you for coming here on such short notice.”

“It’s not a problem, Principal Vitae,” Keirin smiled. “Besides, it gives me an excuse to visit my brother and his family,” she pointed to where Jin and the others were still sitting, trying to revive Keiji from his shock-induced coma. “My niece actually goes to your school,” she pointed to Suzume, who turned toward them and waved.

“Vitae-san, we need to talk,” Shikon marched toward Claudio leaving a limping Sumomo in his wake. He eyed Keirin dangerously and then turned toward his ‘father.’ “We need to talk right now.”

“Shikon, calm down,” Sumomo finally made it over to the group. “Please excuse my husband,” she did her best to smile at the human who, only hours before, had tried to kill her. “He’s not good with new people.” Shikon looked at Sumomo incredulously.

“Ah, yes, these are a few of our teachers,” Claudio smiled at Keirin. “This is Nou Shikon and his wife, Sumomo,” the gestured toward them, “they are the homeroom teachers for two of the junior and freshman classes.” Keirin bowed slightly.

“Nice to meet you,” she smiled at Sumomo and then eyed her leg. “Is your leg injured?” Shikon growled low in his throat and Sumomo giggled nervously.

“Ah, yes, I was playing tennis and didn’t warm up as well as I should have, sprained my ankle,” lifted her long skirt to show the bandage. Keirin’s smiled faltered for a moment and then returned.

“Well, one should be careful when doing strenuous activities,” Keirin bowed again. “Sorry to leave early, but I was hoping to talk to my niece before she heads to her homeroom, is she in yours?” she looked to Shikon who avoided her eyes.

“Yes,” Sumomo answered for him.

“Very well, I hope she isn’t giving your any trouble?” Keirin grinned once more as she turned to join her niece and her friends who were still trying to revive the bespectacled boy.

‘So, what is it?’ Claudio’s mind reached out to his ‘son’ and ‘daughter.’

‘That’s the one,’ Shikon’s mind growled. ‘She’s the vampire hunter; I’d know that scent anywhere.’

‘Well, we’ll have to deal with her,’ Mitsuko’s inner voice reached them. They turned to see the twelve-year-old-looking girl standing behind Jin and his friends. ‘We mustn’t let her know that we know, it seems as if she can’t tell what we are just by seeing us.’

‘Right, we’ll talk about this later and come up with a plan,’ Claudio nodded and turned to head to his office. Sumomo and Shikon sighed and walked to their classrooms.

“Any reason you weren’t at the assembly?” Shikon’s voice growled slightly, still aggravated that the hunter who injured his Sumomo was so close yet he couldn’t do anyway. Joli froze mid step and turned to face her teacher.

“Ah, Nou-sensei, I was just coming from the girls’ bathroom, it’s that time,” Joli grinned and after the one other person in the hallway turned the corner, she relaxed. “Sorry, Shikon, I couldn’t deal with seeing Jin and Suzume anymore than I had to.”

“Well, I know your upset,” Shikon’s emerald eyes softened for a second and then returned to their angry state, “but there’s a vampire hunter in the school.” Joli’s eyes widened. “We would have told you this morning during the meeting, but you were already on your way to class.”

“A vampire hunter in Takasaki?” Joli couldn’t believe it. Her father had told her stories about vampire hunters, but she didn’t believe they were real.

“Yes, Kano Keirin, she’s the new gym teacher,” Shikon explained. “I know that Jin hurt your feelings, but you’re going to have to forget about him for now, not only do we have a rival clan trying to take us down, but now we have this shit to deal with.”

“Watch your language,” came Mitsuko’s voice. “I told you to find Joli and take her to her class, not curse in the hallways, do you want my son to get fired?” Shikon rolled his eyes. They all new very well that there was no one higher than Claudio at the school. “Anyway, get to your class, both of you, I told you we’d talk about it later.” Joli and Shikon nodded and walked to homeroom.

“Wow, I can’t believe Su-chan’s aunt is so young,” Momoka gushed to Li as they took their seats in Sumomo’s class. “I mean, twenty-one and already teaching, that’s amazing.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s pretty cool,” Li said as she balanced a pen between her upper lip and nose. “You know,” the pen fell to the floor, “I still can’t get over how Nou-sensei was staring at her, think she’s a threat?”

“You mean to her job?” Momoka blinked innocently and then Li made fangs with her fingers and then gestured to Mitsuko who was oblivious for once.

“Oh, maybe,” Momoka put a finger to her chin in thought, “maybe she’s like a rival or something, like the twins?” She offered and Li shrugged.

“Speaking of which, I don’t remember seeing them at the assembly,” Li motioned toward the Aichou twins who were slightly dozing during Sumomo’s cheese lecture. “I mean, you wouldn’t miss their weird vibes even in a gym that big.”

“Maybe they skipped, they look awfully tired,” Momoka pointed out.

“You can make anyone the good guy, can’t you?” Li smiled at her younger cousin and then turned to attention back to Sumomo who was stumbling over the pronunciations of some especially French cheeses.

The rest of the school day, or rather, the remaining hour, went by quickly. Sumomo finished her lecture before the entire class had fallen asleep. Joli made it through seeing Jin and Suzume together one more time that day. Keiji eventually snapped out of it, though he couldn’t stop blushing for the rest of the period.

“So, do you need a ride home today?” Toshiro asked Jia Li who nodded and leaned against his arm as they walked out of the double doors. The scene would have been sickeningly cute if Toshiro had not leaned to whisper something in Li’s ear resulting in a punch to the face.

“How about you?” Jin turned toward Suzume. It was then that Joli walked around the corner. He smiled and waved to the blonde, but she avoided eye contact with him. Jin’s hand froze in the air and then fell.

“That’s alright,” Suzume said, oblivious, I’m going to ride home with my aunt. She waved to the group and gave Jin a quick kiss before she skipped down the hallway. Keiji mumbled something about ‘help’ before he followed after the red-head.

“Joli-chan, are you going to walk with us?” Momoka smiled at the blonde who offered a weak smile in response. She nodded and the three of them began their walk home. When they reached the Hino house, Momoka ran up to the door proclaiming her love for dumplings. How she could smell them from outside was a mystery.

“So,” Jin said when they finally got to Joli’s door. “Are you okay?” Joli’s silvery eyes couldn’t meet his. He sighed. “I don’t really understand girls all that well,” he rubbed the back of his head, fingers playing with his short brown hair. “I mean, I seem to make a lot of stupid mistakes, so, if you could just tell me what I did wrong, maybe I could fix it?” Joli suddenly looked into his brown eyes. They were so warm, chocolate even.

“Jin,” she sighed heavily. He looked so innocent just then. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” she looked away. Jin let out a huge gust of air from his lungs.

“Man, what a relief, and here I thought I hurt you again,” Jin smiled. “You had me worried.” He fingered some of her long blonde hair. “If it wasn’t me, who was it,” he suddenly looked angry, “did someone touch you? I swear, I’ll kill them if they-” Joli put her arms up in front of her and waved her hands.

“No, no, it’s nothing like that,” Joli reassured him and he calmed down. “I just,” she looked at him and crumbled, “it’s nothing, just that time of the month, ya know?” Jin’s eyes widened and then he nodded slowly. He had heard about girls getting upset or depressed during ‘that time.’ Though, he wondered if vampires actually did get their periods. He’d have to look it up in his mother’s notebook. There was no way he could ask Joli. They hadn’t brought up the possibility of her being a vampire since the teacup incident.

“Well, I hope you feel better,” he gave her a quick hug and ran to his house, not wanting to invoke the wrath of a PMSing girl.

“Joli, why are you standing outside,” Vivi asked after she opened the door. “I thought I saw a shadow out here,” she smiled at her daughter. Joli turned to her mother with tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong, honey?” Joli threw herself into her mother’s arms.

“Doing nothing as usual, I see,” Dimitri smiled wickedly, his navy eyes shining as he took his seat across from Tomiki in the café. “So, how have your plans been going, Sacha, ready to take down the Vitae and Mortis Clans yet?”

“Dimitri, I find that to be none of your business,” the dark-haired boy sighed and look nervously to the left and the right.

“Afraid your sister followed you here?” Dimitri smirked and Tomiki glared at him. “You know, you should really keep Helina on a leash,” suddenly Dimitri’s eyes darkened, “now, that’s not such a bad thought, is it?”

“You shut your mouth!” Tomiki grabbed Dimitri’s collar and stood up, dragging the older boy with him.

“Defensive, aren’t we?” Dimitri chuckled and then straightened his collar when Tomiki let go of it. “Now, let’s not make a scene,” he pointed to the other couples sitting in the café who were now facing away from their coffee to stare at the two Russian boys.

“So, why did you want to meet here?” Tomiki turned serious navy eyes on the older boy. Dimitri took a sip of his coffee, stuck his tongue out in disgust and set it back down.

“I never could get used to human food,” Dimitri wiped his mouth on a napkin. “I just want to let you know that you and little Miss Princess should think about finishing your plan,” his dark navy eyes met the younger boy’s. “Master is coming to Takasaki.”

“So, you’re one of Suzume’s friends?” Keirin asked Keiji was the three of them walked to Keirin’s car. Keiji found it hard to say anything to the older girl. Now that he knew she was a teacher.

“Yes, Ito-san and I are in the student council together and he’s one of my boyfriend’s best friends,” Suzume explained with her sweet smile never leaving her face.

“Boyfriend, huh?” Keirin look intrigued. “And who is this boyfriend? I hope it’s not that blonde kid with all the piercings. It isn’t, is it?” Suzume giggled and Keiji couldn’t help, but join in.

“No, no, that’s Toshiro, Jin’s other best friend,” Suzume tried to stifle her laughter, “Jin, the brown-haired boy, he’s my boyfriend.” Keirin put a finger to her chin and tried to remember the group her niece was sitting with.

“Ah, yes, I remember now,” Keirin smiled, “he’s awfully handsome, isn’t he?” Suzume blushed and looked away. Keiji had fire behind his eyes. So, Jin was handsome and just what did that make him?

“Um, Sano-sensei,” Keiji addressed Keirin.

“Yes, Keiji-kun,” Keirin flashed him a dazzling smile and he nearly melted to the floor just then. What happened to his manly machoness, his ability to win girls over with his looks and smarts? He felt completely useless right now.

“Uh…” Keiji looked around, “could you give me a ride home as well?” It was weak. It was pathetic. It worked. Keiji got into the backseat while Suzume rode in the front with her aunt. “Thank you,” Keiji mumbled when they reached his house. He gave a quick wave as the car drove off. “I’ve got to get some help from Suzume tomorrow,” he sighed and unlocked his front door.

“I’ll kill him, that’s all there is to it,” Nero was pacing the floor of the Chimeshi’s old house. “I’ll invite him over, make him dinner and then murder him, human-style, maybe with something blunt,” he began to search the house for anything that could be considered a weapon.

“Honey, please, don’t make this any worse,” Vivi tried to calm her husband down. “I mean, Joli is already upset, let’s not kill the boy she likes,” she put her hands on her hips and Nero stopped his frantic search for anything to kill the human boy.

“I just don’t understand why she likes a human in the first place,” Nero growled, his blonde ponytail flipping around and he sat down next to his wife. “I mean, they’re weak, they don’t live very long and they’re always bleeding,” Nero shook his head and then wiggled in his seat. “These are some seriously uncomfortable couches,” he blinked, his silvery blue eyes catching the light.

“Be that as it may,” Vivi raised a delicate blonde eyebrow, “we need to focus on our daughter.” Nero nodded and then both parents quickly shut themselves up as they heard footsteps on the stairs. They turned to see Joli coming down to meet them. They both knew that she heard them. Vampires had amazing hearing, of course. “Honey, are you feeling any better?”

“I’m alright, mom,” Joli gave a weak smile and joined her parents on the couch. “I guess I’ll have to get over the fact that the other girl was there first,” she sighed, “besides, we’ve got so much more to deal with here.” Joli stood up and faced her parents. “There’s a vampire hunter in Takasaki.”

“Does the letter say who it’s from, dear?” a cool voice drifted through the dark castle. Scuro looked up from the yellowed paper and into the violet eyes of his wife.

“It says it’s from a Mischa Acerbus,” the Mortis Clan leader turned to Nerezza and gave her a serious look. “He wants us to go to Takasaki.”

(AN: All my cliffhangers have been ending with “Takasaki” – just wanted to point it out)

“This is getting serious,” Claudio strode back and forth behind the couches in the teachers’ lounge. “I mean, first we have some meddlesome teenagers trying to bring destruction to the union between the Vitae and Mortis Clans,” he paced back to the other side, “then a vampire hunter comes out of the woodwork,” he turned and faced the other vampires in the room, “and now Scuro and Nerezza are coming here.”

“Hey, you make it sound like my parents are the bad guys,” Nero looked offended. There was apparently a need to remind him that they were the bad guys not too long ago. However, Claudio continued.

“So, we’ve got three Acerbus lackeys in Takasaki,” he looked to Mitsuko who nodded, “a vampire hunter who may or may not be related to all of this,” Shikon and Sumomo nodded in unison, “and a letter from the Acerbus leader wanting all the Clan Heads to meet in one place,” Nero took out the letter he had received from his father and nodded as well. “We’re screwed.”

“Honestly, honey, don’t be so negative,” Bella smiled. “I mean, sure, there’s a lot of stuff going down, but everyone’s still alright,” she gestured to Sumomo, “Momo-chan’s injury has healed and we haven’t actually been attacked by any of the Acerbus vampires.”

“Leave it to Bella to put a good face on anything,” Shikon mumbled under his breath resulting in a elbowing from Sumomo.

“But what do we do about the vampire leader?” Joli stood up from behind her parents and walked forward. “I believe we could have handled the Aichou twins and that other guy Mitsuko saw, but the leader?”

“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see,” Mitsuko sighed. “Nero,” she addressed the blonde, “does your father’s letter say anything about when and where we’ll all be meeting together?”

“No, Aunt Mitsuko,” Nero sighed heavily, “it doesn’t even say who should be there, I’m not sure if it’s just the Clan Heads or if it’s everyone.” Mitsuko looked deep in thought for a moment.

“Well, I guess Nerezza can tell me when she arrives,” Mitsuko decided and the vampires all shrugged and nodded. “Now, it’s a school night, so everyone get home, I’ve got some truly awful Algebra homework,” Mitsuko said seriously, but Shikon and Sumomo couldn’t help, but giggle.

“So, Master has finally decided to come to Takasaki,” Tomiki let the words sink in. “Is he dissatisfied with my sister’s and my work?” Tomiki looked into Dimitri’s eyes. The older boy almost felt sorry for the twin, but his pride was too great.

“Yes, he was not getting the results he wanted,” Dimitri explained, “so he sent me to check up on you, but he has grown even more impatient.” Dimitri sighed and got up from the table. Tomiki followed and the two began walking back to the younger boy’s apartment.

“I hope he will punish me and not Helina,” Tomiki almost had tears in his eyes. Dimitri’s smugness nearly faltered, but he couldn’t let his guard down. Master would surely make him his favorite again and he was about to risk that because of some cute boy.

“Well, either way,” Dimitri suddenly got a wicked idea and smiled, “I can save you.” Tomiki looked into the older boy’s navy eyes questioningly. “I mean, I can make sure that Master doesn’t hurt either of you,” he flashed pearly whites, “for a price.”

“What do you want?” Tomiki looked so serious right then. Dimitri smirked and walked closer to the little Russian. Suddenly, Tomiki felt the cool bricks of the building behind his back. He made to turn to look for an escape, but Dimitri’s palm caught his cheek, turning the younger boy to face him.

“I can make sure you’re both safe, if you give yourself to me,” the navy in Dimitri’s eyes had swirled out and was replaced by a deep crimson red. “It won’t hurt,” Dimitri purred as he licked his way up Tomiki’s neck. “Sacha…” he groaned and put a knee between the younger boy’s legs.

“Stop it,” a feminine voice came from behind them. Dimitri and Tomiki turned to see Himeko with tears in her eyes. “Dimitri, let Sacha go,” she sobbed.

“Ah, Helina, would you like to join us?” Dimitri reached a hand out to her and Tomiki used this as a chance to escape. “Damn it, you made me lose my dinner,” Dimitri pouted at the twins. They glared back at him.

“I don’t care if you say you can save us, we’ll manage on our own,” Tomiki spat at the older boy, “Master still loves us.” Dimitri raised an eyebrow and chuckled darkly.

“Do not rely on Master’s love, you can’t always be his favorites,” he put his hands in his pockets and began to walk away from the two. “Good luck, I wouldn’t want to see either of those beautiful faces ruined.”

“May I present to you, Miss Vivienne Rose,” the announcer’s voice boomed through the halls. It was Vivi’s sixteen birthday and her mother had thrown her a huge party. Of course, most of the party was funded by her step-father.

“Thank you all for coming,” Vivi’s mother stood proudly by the microphone. Of course, all of this was in French. Vivi couldn’t help, but giggle as her Russian step-father and step-brother struggled to understand what her mother was saying. Luckily, before her real father had died, he had insisted that Vivi be able to speak most of the European and Asian languages.

“I’m so glad you all could make it,” Vivi’s step-father struggled in broken French. “I truly feel that today, Vivienne has become my daughter.” He smiled at her and Vivi felt a chill go up her spine. He said such nice words, but underneath his sweet exterior she felt something cold.

“Hey, want to get out of here for awhile?” Vivi turned towards the voice and saw her nineteen-year-old step brother smiling at her. She was wondering why the voice had been speaking Russian. Vivi excused herself from the girls who were complimenting her on her dress and followed the young man outside to a balcony.

“Are you having fun?” Vivi asked her older sibling. They were still stiff around each other considering their parents had only been married the year before.

“Yes, Miss Aleena sure knows how to throw a party,” the boy was referring to Vivi’s mother. Vivi nodded and smiled up at the stars.

“Well, your father did fund most of it,” Vivi looked away from the sky and smiled at the handsome boy in front of her. He was three years her senior and a foot or so taller than she was. His navy eyes sparkled as he looked down at her, a slight blush spread across his face.

“Vivi, you are so beautiful,” the young man smiled and leaned toward her. Vivi couldn’t resist. He was so sweet and handsome and it wasn’t as if they were really related. She melted into the kiss. She then felt her step-brother’s hands running up her exposed back. She hadn’t felt him unzip her dress. She made to push him off of her, but he didn’t move.

“Dimitri,” Vivi giggled, “have you had too much to drink?” She was laughing nervously, knowing full well he could overpower her. Suddenly his dark red eyes met hers and a scream died in her throat.

“No, Vivi, I haven’t yet had anything,” he purred and bit into her neck.

“No!” Vivi’s eyes popped open as she threw herself forward, throwing the covers off of her bed. Nero jumped as soon as he heard his wife wake up.

“Vivi, darling, what is it?” Nero turned toward a gasping Vivi. “Did you have a nightmare?” His silvery eyes showed concern. Vivi caught her breath and swallowed.

“No, more like a memory,” Vivi answered dully, not making eye contact with her husband. “It was nothing, let’s just go back to sleep,” Vivi pulled her covers back up and faced away from her husband. Nero made to ask her something else, but decided against it. She’d tell him when she was ready.

The flight had taken forever, but he was finally here. He stretched his long, lanky limbs and turned toward his wife. She smiled at her husband, dull blonde hair sweeping to the side as she picked up her bags. It had been awhile since he had let her out of the castle.

“Mischa, darling,” the woman purred as she leaned heavily against her husband. “Is there a reason we had to come to Japan?”

“Yes, my dear Aleena,” the Acerbus master purred back. “First, we must take care of a little business with some other clans,” the woman nodded, “then we can pick up our daughter.”

“Our daughter…?” the woman looked puzzled. She couldn’t really remember anything from before she was changed. She smiled sweetly at her husband despite the fact that she was clueless.

“It’s alright, dear, soon we’ll have everything we’ve always wanted,” Mischa smoothed his wife’s pale straw hair down and reached for his cell phone. It was time to let his ‘children’ know he was here.

Nero woke up for the second time that night. Something behind his eyes was throbbing. He tried to put pressure on them, but it wasn’t working. It felt like his eyes were being ripped from his sockets. Then, as suddenly as it had come, the pain was gone. Nero turned to his wife who was sleeping soundly and smiled.

In her room, Joli was going through the same thing. Her eyes felt like they were on fire. She pushed her palms against her eyes as tears escaped down her cheeks. She couldn’t take it, if the pain lasted a second longer, she was going to throw herself out of her window. But, just like her father’s had, the pain stopped. She opened her eyes and looked at her mirror near her bed. They were still the same silvery blue they’d always been. She shook her head and snuggled against her pillow.

Scuro had heard of red eye flights, but this was ridiculous. Just as he and Nerezza were about to land in Tokyo Airport, he felt an intense burning in the back of his eyes. Nerezza immediately called for a flight attendant, but by the time the woman had gotten there, Scuro said the pain was gone. Nerezza looked into her husbands silvery blue eyes and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Scuro looked thoughtful and shook his head, dismissing the thought.

“What were you doing just now?” Aleena asked her husband as they got into a taxi. “You seemed to disappear for a moment.”

“Ah,” the Acerbus master smiled at his innocent wife, “I was just calling our other children,” he chuckled darkly and Aleena shrugged as she loaded her bags into the trunk of the cab.

Momoka suddenly woke up. She had not been having a nightmare or anything, she just couldn’t sleep. Then she turned and saw Jin in her room. He must have made a noise. She was about to ask him why he was there when he put a finger to his lips. She crawled to the end of her bed and looked into her brother’s eyes.

“I heard mom talking on the phone,” Jin whispered, “she was talking to her friend Sumomo, you know, your teacher.” He looked side to side afraid someone could hear him. “That new teacher is a vampire hunter,” he explained, “that’s what’s got them scared.”

“Is she here to kill the bad vampires?” Momoka asked, wide awake. Jin shook his head.

“I don’t know, but what I do know is, the good vampires are in trouble, they’ve got that bad clan trying to get them and now this,” Jin sighed and then began whispering again, “I think we should confront our teachers about this and help them fight.

“Okay,” Momoka said, suddenly sleepy. Jin felt extremely heavy, too. It was only a few seconds before both Hino children were asleep on the ground.

“Ah, I hate being on brat detail,” Dimitri sighed as he walked into the room. “It’s a good thing human lungs can’t take this gas,” he pocketed the mysterious vile he had opened just moments before. “I guess I’ll have to take these two to the Aichou’s apartment,” he sighed and picked up Momoka and Jin’s unconscious bodies. “They seem important enough to the Vitae clan.” With that, Dimitri broke through the second story window and ran down the street with the two teens.

“I thought I heard something,” Megumi straightened in her bad. She turned to wake her husband, Kentaro, up. “Honey, I heard a window break.” Kentaro shook his head and grumbled. He got up slowly and walked toward their bathroom. “Not in there, I think it came from the hallway.” Megumi led the way and the two stopped when they saw Momoka’s door open.

“Doesn’t she usually close her door at night,” Kentaro looked worried and Megumi nodded. What they saw in the room made Megumi scream. The window had been broken from the inside. Kentaro ran to the window and looked down, but turned to face his wife when he saw nothing on the ground below.

“There’s a note,” Megumi pointed to the bed. She read it and nearly fell over. Kentaro took it from her and read it out loud.

“If you ever want to see your children again, tell the Vitae vampires that they must meet with Master Acerbus,” Kentaro turned a confused expression on his wife. Megumi was in tears.

“We have to call Sumomo,” she sobbed.

For the love of crap! I could not finish this chapter to save my life. Please don’t be disappointed in me.

So, let’s set up trackers.

EVERYONE and their mother is in Takasaki.

And what about poor Momoka and Jin. That was surprising…right? Maybe? No? Okay.

Well, we now know a little bit more about Vivi’s past.

Oh, Kentaro still doesn’t know about the vampires, remember? That’s why he’s confused. Looks like Megumi will have to prove it to him that they exist, ne?

Alright, I’m exhausted (and done with this chapter!)

I hope it was interesting. More to come (when I finally get back into the swing of things)

Note: Hey, it’s the end of my senior year of college, I’ve been busy. Finals are next week T-T

Thanks for reading!!

-Darby-chan-