Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Hime or the characters! Sunrise does! This is purely a fanfic in appreciation for these amazing characters that many have fallen in love with.

Summary: Watching the one you love die because of you is probably the worst burden you can obtain throughout this life. Well… hunting them down afterwards to stop mass murders and bloodshed is a whole other story…

Inspired my vampires, Mai Hime, Shiznat and gai-rei zero!

Enjoy!

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Chapter 1

The Stake Out

By GrimaThanEvil

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The sound of heavy breathing resonated off the stone walls; its source was unknown in the blackness of the hidden network of tunnels. The tunnels were a great web, a maze, a secret but not to the sneaky rascals that crept through the pipes and sewers to find said network.
A whimper could be heard in the dark damp abyss; its source unfamiliar to the rodents who explore these wet shafts. Water leaked through the ceiling of the underground channels, rippling a centimetre above the cobblestoned floor to only be disturbed by the tiny feet of a rat.

A loud silence lingered. The rat paused in its steps lifting its head. It was interrupted by more strange breathing and the rat continued. It sounded sharp and troubled to the beaded eyed rascal who was now listening intently for any sign of danger. A gasp caused the rat's ears to twitch and it sniffed the air registering the familiar smell; Blood.

The shaft the animal was now exploring lead to a door. He continued along his path to find an equal who was also heading towards the door. The doors frame was made of steel, but the base was all wood with a window cut into the very top; sealed with metal bars. In the very corner of the door there was a large crack which was easy access for a rat.

As the two sneaky creatures neared, sniffing the air, the breathing grew louder. Slipping through the gap they entered into the dim light. The room opened up into a large cellar. Rats crept in the darkest of the shadows, all watching the centre of the room where a man kneeled over another; there eyes glowing in the bleak light.

The man stroked the long hair that splayed out over the floor, 'I'm so sorry' he whispered as something wet dripped down from his lips and onto the cold stones. It was thick and dark.

'You should have listened…' he continued leaning over the body '… why could you not obey Master? We could have been one. You and I. One…Together…Forever…' he gripped the body before him, his knuckles turning white and leaned in closer 'But you couldn't see, you couldn't see' his lips brushed against the lifeless skin before his jaw cracked and snapped. He growled and plunged his teeth into the flesh before him; Eyes glowing and empty he ate away the last of the warmth left inside her.

Her. His love. His life. He wanted her to be with him. He wanted her to live with him. But he was no longer living. He no longer needed his life. She did not want him. She would not listen. Refused him. How dare she; how dare she refuse his Queen; his Master.

He wrenched his head back before he went too far into darkness; too far meant no control. Too far was exactly where his Queen wanted him to go. He was afraid; afraid that he will lose himself. But it was what he wanted was it not? It was what his Queen wanted, his Queen who was so strong; so powerful. He wanted to be powerful. He wanted to be strong. The darkness could make him strong. The blood could fuel him. Its power was so overwhelming; not to mention it tasted… it tasted... so good.

Just one more bite… he thought… one more. His jaw snapped and he plunged in again. His eyes began to turn dark; black. Something was wrong. Pain erupted through his skull, his chest, his stomach; everywhere.

"Reito… "

He tried to pull away, tried to stop but his thirst, it could not stop growing. He had to finish it; had to suck her dry. His memories didn't matter. His old life it meant nothing.

"Don't go Reito, I don't like you staying out late, there are bad people out there. Please not tonight. Stay with me, keep me warm"

His grip tightened as he held her arm, creating bruises on her already dead body while her cold blood ran down his throat.

"What are you? What have you done with my Reito? You-you monster! Let me go! No! Reito please!"

"Be one with me" he had whispered so lovingly, so adoringly to her but… she refused

"Never! You've become a monster Reito! How can you not see that… you killed those people last night!" she had screamed trying to fight him with such weak mortal blows

"No, you cannot see yet my love; once we are the same… you will see with open eyes"

He bit down harder as his mind started to fog, he could feel it, the darkness, and it wanted him.

He continued to drink until he felt nothing. Empty. Pulling back he screamed into the night; screamed in agony, in fear, in rage. The rats scrambled; squealing as they scattered out the door and down the tunnels.

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'All citizens please return to your houses or seek shelter immediately; it is now twenty minutes before dusk' repeated the robotic voice throughout the streets of Fuuka. As expected no one stopped or faltered, everyone continued on with their business. Drivers yelled at the faulty traffic lights between Haruno Street and Blossom Drive. People hurried along the footpaths eager for their late night shopping sprees. Some even ran across the streets, dodging vehicles for the sake of their dinner dates in waiting. Others waited patiently for the red little walk man to turn green. Teenagers expertly pressed the buttons on their phones at alarming rates. Businessman coming home and going to late night meetings yapped on their phones and couples snuggled into each other's arms as they headed to Fuuka Theatre. No one paid any mind to the loud speakers stationed every block or so away. The voice continued every sixty seconds and became irritating to some but to most it was just another background noise like the motors of cars and the conversations of others.

Boots hit the pavement in a small secluded alley, heading away from the busy streets. The ground was wet from a leaking drain pipe that continuously dripped in random patterns. The small stream created by the drain ran right along the alley's width and down into the active crowds in the busy street. No one seemed to notice when they stepped into the thin stream of wet; too busy to care. Empty crates sat against the stained brick walls in the alley; one had fallen over and shattered into splintered planks. Small amounts of rubbish had spilled out of the full rubbish bin against the brick wall. The boots halted in their path, stopping at an empty soda can, the right boot rose slowly and then a pop was heard as the empty can flew across the backstreet.

Emerald eyes watched it fly and hit the ground with a clang. Then with a sigh the black leather boots began their journey again. Dark cobalt hair swayed as the individual walked on, her tight black jeans stretched slightly with every step; the denim brushing her skin comfortably. The figure's long black leather coat flapped behind her just touching the back of her knees every so often. When she reached the end of the alley, a large grey concrete wall, she turned to her right.

Natsuki sighed; it had been forty four days and six hours… six weeks and two to three days… an agonising month and a half of… absolutely nothing. Searrs had appointed them to Fuuka City, the quietest and probably the safest place you could find these days. There was absolutely no activity in the area… which just meant boredom for Natsuki but a life for everyone else; everyone else being the normal dull population.

Searrs was very secretive about their background information because they were intrusted with the security and peace between humanity and the blood-seekers. All that really meant was that they would eliminate all threats to humanity; all threats being the blood-seekers.
At present, according to Searrs, the newborn population in Fuuka has spiked forcing Natsuki and her team to be assigned to her present location. Of course since they have been here nothing suspicious has occurred at all, no mysterious deaths, no mysterious sightings, not even a whisper; confirming that Fuuka was indeed inactive.
They had tried multiple times for Searrs to reappoint them to a job where they could actually make a difference but the organization insisted that Fuuka was the most suspicious and dangerous place of all because of its inactivity. Natsuki still did not understand why they had to appoint one of their best squadrons. Maybe it was because Searrs thought all the other teams had missed something when they had been stationed here.

Surely something should have arisen in the last twelve years? But no, Natsuki's team had searched every record in every police bureau and even all the libraries for a trace of suspicious disappearances or murders but all of them lead to dead ends. Nothing seemed to match the reports Searrs had given the team. Maybe somehow the blood-seekers had found out?

The emerald eyed girl growled softly and shook her thoughts away, her stomach rumbled and she frowned; not looking forward to another TV dinner or takeout box. She couldn't wait until someone responded to Yukino's flier.

The area opened up to an abandoned courtyard hidden by old apartment complexes and a warehouse. Natsuki continued across the court dodging the large cracks for amusement, her stride never faltered as she did so, and it looked almost robotic; she knew if anyone saw her it would have seemed like she was just walking in an area no one dared to walk. This part of Fuuka was long abandoned which meant it was the perfect place to lay low but also the perfect place to find others that were laying low. Of course for Natsuki this was no problem, she was one of the best in her field.

Finally Natsuki came to a halt at an old red building; the paint had long faded and now almost looked rusted and orange. Emerald eyes stared at the wooden door in front of them and then knocked once before waiting five seconds. Natsuki knocked three more times and waited another second before knocking once more. A latch could be heard and the wooden door slid back and off to the right revealing that it was an automatic security entrance.

Natsuki stepped inside; her boots touching the pale blue tiled floor with a soft clomp. The door behind her closed automatically and a beeping sound resonated behind her. The cobalt haired woman found herself in the small hallway, on her right was an open kitchen littered with empty TV dinner trays and takeout boxes. The top of the bench was a dark blue while the cabinets and framework were a creamy white. Attached to the kitchen and hallway sat the living area decorated with a cream carpet and two occupied red coaches that faced each other. In between the sofas lay a glass coffee table covered in old magazines, newspaper clippings and various files and folders. An empty mug sat at its edge as well as en empty abandoned ash tray that had never been used.

"Welcome back" uttered a voice from the living room. Natsuki began to walk forward again and made her way towards her companions. She halted before she reached the carpet and looked to her left where the small dining area sat, one of the chairs were occupied by another one of Natsuki's companions.

The taps and clicks of a keyboard halted and emerald eyes met a pair of reflective glasses "Ah Kuga-san" greeted the individual "How was your walk?" the figure leaned back in her chair, her short brown hair shifting slightly.

Natsuki pulled her lip back and frowned, unconsciously her hands slipped into the pockets of her leather jacket "It was another dead end as always Kikukawa"

A soft laughed echoed through the living room and emerald eyes glared at a slender redheaded individual "What?" uttered the cobalt haired woman trying to meet those bright pale eyes that were fixated on a magazine "What's so funny Nao?"

"Nothing pup" commented the redhead "This situation is just so typical… Searrs has lost their touch" her eyes flicked over to Kikukawa "Are you sure our tech is the latest? I don't think we can even find a healthy human being with the tracking equipment Searrs gave us yet alone a bloodsucker"

"It seems someone has informed them of our presence" interrupted a very even pitched voice. Emerald flickered to the other occupied coach where a blue haired woman sat. Her hair was pale and her eyes almost blank and robotic. She was tall even though she was seated. She wore a black tight leather suit and long black boots to match "Searrs is sending information as we speak"

Everyone watched the robotic girl as her eyes glazed over and began to flicker, "I think this Miyu thing they sent us is better than you Yukino" commented Nao staring at her in astonishment "I didn't know she could do that"

Yukino sighed and pressed her first digit into the middle of her glasses to push them up to the bridge of her nose "Hai, Miyu is the latest in Searrs technology, after the…" she paused and looked at Natsuki meeting her eyes "… Hime incident, they were hoping it would be better to switch to more mechanical means than experimenting on the human genome"

Nao's eyes grew dark as she thought back "…mhm" she hummed "…your mother was an idiot Kuga"

Immediately emerald eyes glared at the redhead angrily "What did you just say?" she demanded taking a defensive stance. Nao looked at her and leaned back on the coach looking at her nails.

"You heard me…" she murmured

"Why don't you say it again and maybe I'll here you more clearly!" snapped Natsuki

Nao got up and faced her now angry that Natsuki got so ticked off "It's the truth Kuga, it was just a comment okay? Don't take it so personally"

"The truth?" snapped Natsuki "The truth is Yuuki that you wouldn't be alive if my mother didn't do what she did!"

"Yes well twelve of us wouldn't be freaks of nature if it wasn't for her either!" screamed Nao preparing for a fight and getting into an offensive position, "We wouldn't be Searrs' little puppets!" she took one step towards Natsuki and noticed that the girl had faltered. Nao straightened herself and eyed the girl strangely.

"…eleven" corrected Natsuki looking down at the ground. Her hands were at her side, clutched into fists, "There are only eleven of us"

Nao flinched knowing she had gone too far, she knew she could push any other subject, Natsuki's mother, Natsuki's childhood and even Natsuki's lingerie obsession, something Nao constantly pointed out for her own enjoyment… but somehow she had slipped up. Somehow she had made a mistake no one would ever want to make again. It was a sensitive subject and no one knew what Natsuki would do. The emerald eyed girl was always so unpredictable when a certain subject came up. Nao knew she could make Natsuki angry at her about anything else but she never ever expected to slip up like that.

Yukino felt awkward and wasn't quite sure what to do, she felt bad about bringing up the Hime project since it had led to something no one wanted it to lead too. The girl was so glad when Miyu began to speak, diluting the awkward situation and breaking the horrible atmosphere that was beginning to take place. The robotic voice echoed throughout the apartment uttering random numbers and sequences before beginning to speak in words "Searrs Headquarters. Target: Club Violet. Information: Suspected Vampiric Activity. Category B and Category D. Succession: Investigate and eliminate all categories on site. Investigation takes priority over elimination. Elimination only advised if discretion is viable. Report all relevant discoveries via M.I.Y.U. Informant: Unavailable. Document End"

Miyu blinked once and had returned back to normal.

"Finally a mission!" interrupted a new deeper voice. Everyone turned towards this new individual coming out of the entrance to the sleeping quarters. Unlike the others the figure was a male. His hair was blonde and skin tanned, with a well-built body tucked inside a black tailor made suit.

"Glad you could join us Yuuichi" growled Natsuki turning towards him and shoving him to the side. The man looked at her wondering what her problem was. He looked at the others hoping for an explanation but no one gave him one. Nao just turned away with her arms crossed and Yukino just sighed and went back to work on her laptop.

"So when do we start?" he demanded not expecting everyone to just go back to their normal activities

"Once I have the architectural designs of Club Violet" explained Yukino "…and once Miyu and Nao map out an assault plan, which I will of course look over"

"Ah well you guys can do the boring stuff" laughed Tate "I've got a date" he stuck out his chest triumphantly as if he deserved praise or a medal.

"Is that not against Searrs protocol Yuuichi?" murmured Nao as she fell back onto the coach engrossing herself in her magazine "You are supposed to be keeping an eye on us…"

Tate looked flustered and a bit like a cornered rat while Nao smirked enjoying the torment she always evoked upon others, "Relax, idiot, you can go" laughed the redhead "Just make sure no one and nothing follows you back"

"Y-yes of course!" he yelled and a few seconds later he was out the door

"That was unlike you Yuuki-san" commented Miyu not quite understanding why the redhead had done it. She herself had thought she was beginning to understand the concept of human emotions.

"He irritates me when he is around" uttered Nao "Besides… when he drinks here he becomes even more perverted and it's hard for me not to kill him"

Natsuki walked into her small room and kicked the small bin next to her desk; scrunched up pieces of paper and an empty soda can fell out and scattered around the room. She slammed her fist against the wall not caring that it made her knuckles red. The wall was a very pale blue almost grey color and was decorated with old articles and newspaper clippings. The articles all had titles about vampire attacks and strange sightings.

A large map was pinned to the far end of the wall and a number of pins were jabbed into certain locations. A thin red string connected the needles and photos sat next to each one. Nothing was really seen in the photos except smudges and shadows in the background.

The impact of Natsuki's fist made the photo frame on her desk fall over. Her emerald eyes locked onto it and she stared at it for a moment unsure of what to do next. Slowly her hand reached down and her fingertips touched it ever so gently.

The wooden frame felt rough and old against the padding of her skin. She slowly picked it up with her right hand and lifted it to her face. Staring at it, her eyes reflected the image and Natsuki's fingers tightened around the frame. Her eyes glued shut and she fought back the urge to scream, her muscles in her face twitching and convulsing.

Quickly she put it back down the same way it fell; placing it so the picture was touching the desks service; unable to be seen.

She hated this… her life was so much easier a few years ago; so much better… It was perfect. Maybe not to the normal population who had normal jobs and normal lives but for someone like Natsuki… it was impeccable, unflawed, seamless and complete.

Now Natsuki felt helpless… guilty… weak… could she really do what she had to when the time came? Yes… she had given her word right? She had promised it to herself and she had promised it to…

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'All citizens please return to your houses or seek shelter immediately; it is now twenty minutes before dusk' repeated the robotic voice once again.

It had been two days since confirmation was received from Searrs that they were indeed there for a reason. The team was busy timing their positions to the correct amount of seconds. Nao and Miyu were half an hour away from their target while Tate and his item were busy going to a restaurant for their second date. In exactly four hours they would be at the entrance of Club Violet where Yukino and Natsuki were. The two were right across from Fuuka's most famous club, hidden in a flower shop Searrs had conveniently prepared for them. What happened to the owners was not Yukino or Natsuki's concern. At present the two had the most boring job, well Natsuki thought anyway. They were the ones that were going to be waiting in this tiny two story building for four hours while Tate had a good time with his date and Nao and Miyu went out to watch a movie.

Currently an old fan was blowing in the corner of the room not doing much to cool the room down since all the computers Yukino had set up were already heating up the small room. Natsuki's emerald eyes glanced at the girl in question who had successfully set up her gear in the other corner of the room close to the window but not too close that someone would be able to see her. Five screens sat in front of her; two of which showed the surrounding camera footage of the club. The others showed random text Natsuki was not interested in.

At present there were a lot of people walking the streets since no one really paid attention to the robotic warnings. This was Fuuka the safest town in the world; it was highly protected by Searrs constantly for twelve long years. It had been the centre of all their operations therefore the worst place for blood-seekers to be. Of course no one really knew that Fuuka wasn't the main concern of the organization anymore, but of course it was still closely watched. Searrs wanted to protect their territory and if something were to happen that would make Fuuka unsafe… then people will begin to lose their faith and trust in Searrs.

Natsuki wasn't really concerned about Searrs' overall mission all she cared about was her mission. She had to be alert, had to stay focused. No one was to be hurt again… not like last time…

She closed her eyes blocking out the memory but it was creeping up on her... No… she thought trying to fight it, trying to forget it. But it was there, slipping through the cracks, growing into a mass of horror. It would consume her; break her into tiny frail pieces. No she wouldn't go back there, she couldn't, she had to stay focused or someone would die; again. Just like all those people… those women… those children… her mother… and-

"Kuga-san?"

Natsuki's eyes snapped open and she found Yukino watching her with concern. The smart quiet girl did not know how grateful Natsuki was that she had been brought out of her reverie; and she would never know. Natsuki had made sure a long time ago that she would not show her emotions ever again. Sure she would show anger… but never truly open herself up… never let her weaknesses or attachments get the better of her. Showing her emotions gave away her weaknesses… and bad things happen when your enemies find out your weaknesses.

Yukino looked back at her screens not wanting to upset Natsuki. The smart girl really didn't want to be shot, she had learnt just from watching Nao push things that it was not a good idea to bring up the past. Also, Natsuki didn't like to be ogled by perverts aka Tate. It was concerning though; Natsuki was defiantly unstable… a loose cannon… but so far she has held herself together… a bit.

Yukino wasn't sure what would happen if the past crept up on them; Natsuki's rank worried her. She was a Hime, just like Yukino and Yukino knew how powerful she herself could be. But how powerful was Natsuki?

She remembered Haruka's words well before they left Searrs Headquarters, 'Be careful Yukino that Kuga is slippery; broken. If something happens out there… I have ordered Miyu to protect you with her life. I don't want… I don't want to end up like her I don't want to lose my special person'

4 hours later

Standing up straight Natsuki peered out the window and ran her eyes over the faces in line at Club Violet. She spotted Tate and his date halfway up the line and watched for anything suspicious. Her fists tightened as she searched for something, anything.

These things… these monsters couldn't get away. Creatures that just take so much pleasure in taking lives shouldn't exist in this world. Every single one of them loved the smell of death. Natsuki hated all of them. They took away what she had loved most… what she had wanted for so long. Someone that meant the world to Natsuki and she would not stop until they all died. First her mother and then… and then… - her eyes closed shut again – She would find them all. Torture them until she heard their screams as she pierced their hearts with a thousand stakes, a thousand bullets, a thousand knives… whatever it took she wanted to hear their pain; for them to feel the pain of others and for them to feel her hatred; her wrath; her rage.

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Mai stood outside of the club amongst all the people, some of them strange and some of them just plain crazy. It was the busty orange haired girls second date with Yuuichi-kun. They had met three days ago at the café Mai worked at, she had complained that she wanted to be a great chief but her boss wouldn't let her touch a frying pan so Tate offered her a job. As long as she could actually cook and as long as she gave him one chance to woo her. Mai of course said yes because he was hot and she would take any other job as long as it paid better than the one she had now and as long as she could keep her clothes on of course.

The other day after their first date Yuuichi had taken her back to where he was currently staying. At first Mai thought he was taking her to Fuuka's abandoned district to defile her but once she actually discovered that he worked for Searrs she felt safer and also like a bit of an idiot. The carrot head however did not like the state of the kitchen but she did take a liking to the four girls that Yuuichi was living with. The thought did cross her mind whether or not Yuuichi had four wives but after she met them the answer was quite obvious; no way in hell.

While standing outside waiting Mai and Tate talked about silly things like the odd people that walked by and what it was like inside. Then they got to personal questions and found out they both use to go to the same school; which was a shock to both of them.

"Are you kidding me?" Tate uttered putting his hands in his pockets "I would have noticed someone like you Mai-san – oh I mean Tokiha-san! Gomen!"

Mai laughed "Don't worry about it, you can call me Mai-san as long as I can call you Tate-kun"

He smiled at her and a soft blush crossed his cheeks, it was barely there but Mai noticed it "I'd like that Mai-san"

"So…" smiled Mai closing her eyes for a second "Do you think the others like my cooking?"

"Are you kidding me?" gasped Tate "Did you not hear all their compliments? They expect you to move in by tonight!"

Mai stopped smiling and opened her eyes "Eh? Move in?"

Tate faltered for a moment "Well yeah…" he mumbled scratching the back of his head "Did I not mention that? Since we work with Searrs it would be safer for you to stay with us just in case you are followed"

"Oh…"

"Is something wrong?" questioned Tate

"Well… I have a little brother that I take care of…" mumbled Mai looking down at the ground "I can't just leave him"

Tate touched her shoulder which made Mai meet his eyes "Hey, it's okay Mai I'm sure we can convince my teammates to let your brother stay with us, he will just have to bunk with someone that's all"

"It will be with you Yuuichi" snapped Nao "That way nothing perverted will be going on in your room. Well nothing MORE perverted"

The orange headed girl's face lit up "Really? Are you sure?"

"Of course" smiled Tate glad he had cheered the beautiful girl up. His lips twitched a little bit at Nao's comment in his ear.

Natsuki sighed as she walked across the road to the club. She wore a large coat over her tight suit hoping that the men at the entrance would not ask to look under it to make sure she was wearing a dress. If they did then they would find a number of knives, metal stakes and bullets dipped in holy water. She slipped into the line unnoticed and was engulfed in the crowd, stuck between two large groups. The people around her brushed and pressed against her by accident and she tried to scare them away with her deathly stare but unfortunately they were too occupied to notice.

"Be careful pup" uttered Nao "I'm in the alley next door, so if anything happens I'll be there in two seconds"

Natsuki pressed her earpiece in, shifting it so it was more comfortable for her "Hai Spider" she said softly

"I thought we weren't sending anyone in except Yuuichi" commented Miyu

"Mutt is just stacking out down below in the crowd" replied Nao "Besides she fits in"

Natsuki found herself just behind Tate who locked eyes with her for a second. He acknowledged her with a slight nod and Natsuki did the same making sure their new cook didn't notice her. She guessed that Tate didn't tell her she was in the midst of a stake out. The line began to move and Natsuki allowed others to go in front of her as slyly as possible. She had no intention of going inside.

After an hour in line Mai and Tate finally got inside and were hit by bright flashing lights and loud rave music. Most of the club was on the dance floor as one, arms high in the air rubbing against each other as they let loose. Tate grabbed Mai's hand and led her to the bar where they ordered two drinks.

"Don't forget what you are here to do Yuuichi" uttered the husky voice darkly

Tate shook his head at Natsuki trying not to stop listening to what Mai was saying. They soon ordered another drink, followed by another and another. Soon Mai was getting tipsy and Tate realised the orange haired girl could not hold her alcohol.

"Another!" screamed Mai hitting her empty glass onto the bars surface

"Ah Mai-san maybe you should stop" suggested Tate only to be met by a seedy smile and Mai's finger poking him hard in the chest

"Eh? I thought you would want to get a girl drunk Tate-kun!" she laughed "You surprise me every year"

Tate blushed ignoring the last word and his eyes widened at the giant glass that appeared before Mai filled with alcohol. After about three of those Tate finally convinced Mai to leave the alcohol alone and go with him to find somewhere more quiet so she could rest.

'Pervert' Nao commented 'You just want to get under her dress'

Tate looked around trying to find somewhere they could go where Mai wouldn't make a scene. His cover was going to be blown if they got kicked out and he really didn't want to mess this up. Ignoring Nao's constant comments in his ear, his eyes squinted across the room and found a security guard. He pulled Mai through the crowd, making his way to the large man. The music was even louder when he reached him so Tate had no choice but to scream at the top of his lungs "Hey do you guys have any private booths left upstairs?" he yelled over the loud music struggling to hold Mai up right and close to him. The carrot head tried to swipe any glasses of alcohol from passer-by's.

The security guard eyed him, running his eyes over both Mai and Tate; "I'll check!" he yelled and walked through a backdoor hidden behind his large body. Tate heard a high pitched noise in his ear and winced as it grew louder. He yanked out his earpiece and glared at it putting it in his pocket for the moment. He reminded himself to put it back on when they got into a booth. Five minutes later the guard returned and ushered them inside.

"Just go straight and take the last left, go up the stairs and pick any room that is open" explained the guard before he left them. Tate heard the loud music outside as the guard opened up the door again. It disappeared immediately signalling that the man had left.

Tate dragged Mai along and stopped at the stairs, his face was one of defeat when he realised this was going to be difficult; it would probably be easier to get the girl down the stairs… but up? This was going to be fun.

Tate finally fell down onto the sofa inside the private room. Mai lay on the other side now passed out and murmuring strange things. On Tate's left the wall was made out of glass allowing anyone inside the booth to see the dancers down below. It was obviously expertly tinted however because Tate did not even know it had been glass from down at the bar. The room was a dark pink colour with purple neon lights around the edge of the ceiling and carpet. A small black table sat in the centre of the booth with a bottle of wine inside a glass vase. Four glasses also sat next to the vase.

"Bonus" smiled Tate picking up the bottle "I can't believe they give you a free bottle of wine up here and it costs so much downstairs!"

The blonde man popped the cork and smiled at Mai "One last drink wouldn't hurt" but the girl just groaned at him and he chuckled. His strong hands reached out and grabbed the fancy looking wine glasses. For a moment he wondered how much they were; they looked really expensive to be just left here for anyone to use. What if someone was really off the edge? Shaking his head he tilted the bottle to the side. His eyebrows knitted together in a frown as the wine came out slowly. Something didn't seem right. The security guard seemed to come to Tate's mind and how he had looked Mai over… how he had taken so long to find them a room when it would have only taken a minute to get up here by himself… not to mention wouldn't the guy know how many people had gone up? How many rooms there were and how many rooms were occupied?

Tate lifted the thick red wine to his lips as he thought about security guy, not really paying attention to the drink he was about to put into his mouth. He tasted a strange metallic flavour…

Natsuki was still outside glaring at particular individuals who seemed to eye her strangely. She could hear the loud music inside the club and she wondered how these people could even stand it. If the emerald eyed girl had spent as much time in clubs as she did hunting down vampires she would most certainly be deaf. Her eyes caught sight of two girls walking pass her laughing.

"Onee-chan! Don't tease me like that! You know this is my first time...!" whined the shorter girl

"Don't worry, don't worry I'm sure no seedy old guy is going to grind against you" laughed the other "Maybe it will be a seedy lady..."

"D-don't say such things!" blushed the short girl before they got mixed up in the thicker part of the line.

Natsuki looked at her boots, her eyes wavering as she almost gave in to her memories. Her eyelids closed as she fought against it and she swallowed loudly. Finally when she controlled herself she looked around again for anything suspicious. It had been a while since she encountered a vampire... and she hoped that it would only be a bunch of newborns. At least they would look like regular people and not like those things in Natsuki's nightmares... those blood-cravers. Monsters was what they were... newborns or Sires that would initiate the first bite and drink until their victim had absolutley no moisture left in their body. They would drink too much blood... almost like an overdose... and change in strange ugly creatures unable to control their thirst. Those were the people that always looked so shriveled and old when Natsuki entered a crime scene.

She sighed before her eyes caught sight of something she never expected.

A black 300c Chrysler pulled up in front of the club. It was sleek and impossibly clean. The dim light from the street reflected off its surface and seemed to make it sparkle and whisper - no scream - money. The driver stepped out in a sleek suit. It was made up of long black pants, a black blazer and vest, as well as a white buttoned up shirt with a bow at its collar. He was tall, thin and swift as he walked towards the backdoor and pulled it open. His dark hair was jelled back and spiked and the expression on his face was like that of a poker player...cool and unmoving. His dark eyes looked up to meet Natsuki's.

The emerald eyed girl new exactly what he was as their eyes met.

It felt like slow motion for her; like everything else in the world had stopped and she was staring into the end… the dark agonising end. The dark one's eyes moved out of view as his face was obscured by another.

Someone Natsuki would drown in… someone that knew Natsuki's every move, Natsuki's every thought and Natsuki's greatest weakness.

...

End!

I hope you guys enjoyed it :S
It's a bit sketchy, I probably have to fix up a few bits later on. Is it interesting enough though? Please review. Does it seem too rushed? Too boring? Good? Bad? Ugly?

Next chapter will be up soon! Your reviews shall fuel me! :D