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School. Freaking school. That jerk Guren had actually forced him to go visit a school.

He was surprised such a thing still existed. School seemed like luxury compared to the horror outside of the walls.

Still, it was a luxury he could not allow himself to enjoy. There were important things to do.

But protesting hadn't been an option; discussing with Guren never led anywhere. The guy was damn stubborn.

So now he was here, sitting in a classroom with other pupils while their teacher was trying to teach them something.

Sighing Mika tried to understand what Mr. Whatever-his-name-was was saying.

He never went to school before. He learned everything from a private teacher in their Orphanage, and that wasn't much, only three years, basic stuff like reading, spelling, some math. He learned more from the books in the vampire city.

»Hyakuya.« The teacher's voice interrupted his thoughts. He blinked and then stood. »Yes?« The man raised an eyebrow.
»You weren't paying attention, were you?«

»Uhm, well… I'm sorry, no.« Shaking his head, the teacher motioned him to sit. He didn't get angry. He knew he would only be there for a short period, so he didn't even bother.

»I would pay attention if I were you.« Mika tried to ignore the voice coming from behind him.

… It didn't work well. »After all, the only way to end this is-«

»To sit still and listen. I am well aware of that, Shinoa.« Snickering.

»You're such an honor student, it's boring. I don't know why the Lieutenant Colonel bothered to punish you like this.«

»Because he has nothing better to do than making me suffer, I guess. And now be quiet, I need to learn how birds lay their eggs.«

The bell finally rang and announced the end of today's lesson. Groaning Mika stuffed his stuff into his bag and left the room, Shinoa close behind.

»Why are you following me like this?«

»Ehh~ Aren't close friends allowed to follow each other?« He smiled a little at that. But only a little.

»Heh, good to know you consider me a close friend. But. Did Guren order you to follow me around?«

»Oh, you noticed? Haha, I shouldn't expect anything less than that from you eh~ « She sped up her footing a bit so she walked right beside him. »Although I would've followed you anyway.«
»Eh?«

»After all, there's no one else I could have a nice chat with, right?«

»It's always the same with you, jeez. You should go and get some female friends.«

Although he knew that was impossible for someone like her.

He met Shinoa two years ago. It was a pure coincidence; she just happened to be at Guren's office when he came to visit him and complain about how the fridge was empty again. A beautiful fourteen year old girl with cold brown eyes that immediately told him she had lived a rough life.

She never told him anything about herself and he didn't ask, while she didn't ask anything about him in return. She probably already knew, though.

The only thing he knew was that she was a Hiiragi. When he asked Guren about them, he explained that the Hiiragis were the strongest family of the Demon Company and very dangerous. To his surprise, his eyes darkened a bit when he said that. He refused to tell him about Shinoa, asking if Mika had developed a crush on her. That immediately shut him up.

So he decided to do some research by himself and read a few books. He gained very little out of doing that; only that the Hiiragis were trained very hard in combat ability and that the family currently consisted of the leader of the demon army Tenri Hiiragi, his oldest son Kureto Hiiragi, the adopted son Shinya Hiiragi (who he met later, too) and his daughter Shinoa Hiiragi. There seemed to have been another member, but he couldn't find out anything about him or her.

Back on topic; Shinoa was one of the few persons he really had contact with over the past years. The only others were Guren and his squad. After insisting on accompanying the older man when he was going to meet up with his 'friends', Guren gave in and introduced him to Mito Jujo, Norito Goshi, and Sayuri and Shigure, who he already knew. The squad seemed to have taken a liking on him, as they started speaking to him pretty casually after a while and helped him a little with his training.

Of course, he'd never forget about Yuu-chan and the others. He couldn't forget, and he didn't try either. He continued living only for them. He-

»P-please stop!«

»Hmm, looks like some students are fighting. How interesting~« Mika shook his head and focused his attention on the present. That was his way of staying sane.
»Huh?«

»Just look, Mika~ «

A brown haired boy about their age stood a few meter away.

»Stop? We're friends, right? We're just asking you to go in our place.« Another student accompanied by his two friends appeared and pushed his hand against the boy's chest, who fell to the ground with a pained noise.

Mika snorted and Shinoa raised an eyebrow. »Three against one? That's hardly fair.« She looked at Mika with a thin smile. »So, what will you do, Mr. Justiceboy?« The blonde hesitated. He probably shouldn't get invol…

His eye flinched when the student put his foot on the boy's head and started pressing it down. Oh well.

»Hey, knock it off.«

»Hah? Who the hell are you?« Mika crossed his arms and stared at the leader of the gang.

»Don't you think it's pretty pathetic to go three against one?« The guy scoffed.

»You're getting the wrong idea. Yoichi wants to do this. Anyway, it doesn't concern you, so get lost. Or do ya wanna take his place?«

»What do you want him to do? Buy your stuff?«

»Aye. We just want him to buy somethin' to eat and drink. So get lost already!«

»Okay, I'll do it.« Mika smiled at the dumb folded expressions he got. »So leave him alone, 'kay?« The boy narrowed his eyes and seemed to be debating whether he should punch Mika in the face or agree. Then he shrugged.

»Ha. What a jerk. Alright. But be sure to bring them to us when you're finished. Yoichi, show him!« He spit at the boy named Yoichi, then he turned away and left, his friends behind.

Mika looked at him. »You okay?«

»A-ah… yes! Thank you very much, eh…«

»Mikaela Hyakuya. That's Shinoa.« He pointed at the waving girl.

»Ah, nice to meet you! I'm Yoichi Saotome… «

It was ridiculous, really. Bread, Coke, Chips – stuff like that was what they had wanted.

»Some civilians are really that stupid, eh…«, he mumured.

»Did you say something~?«

»Nope, nothing at all.«

»Uhm… thank you again, Hyakuya-kun. I'm really sorry…«

»Don't be. It's not your fault.«
»But I…« Shinoa snickered at Mika's annoyed expression.

»You should stop, Yoichi-san. Mika doesn't like it when someone apologizes even though they did nothing wrong.«

»Ah, I'm sorry… I mean, I'm sorry-«

»Got it, got it. But tell me. Why did that guy bully you?«

»Huh? Oh, Yamanaka-kun didn't bully me! Actually, I wanted to become his friend. He is in the Demon Army. Since I failed the entrance exam, I hoped I could get his help if I become his friend… he is a potential recruit for the Moon Demon Company of the Vampire Extermination Unit, you know.«

»That guy is in the Moon Demon Company?« Mika raised an eyebrow.

»Yeah. So…«

»Hm~ So even a jerk like that managed to join before you, Mika~ «

»Thanks for reminding me, Shinoa.« It was all Guren's fault. With his abilities he could've joined years ago, but he just wouldn't let him. He never told him his real reason though.

»So, I hoped Yamanaka-kun had some contacts and get me another chance at the entrance exam. I know it is weird for a weakling like me wanting to join the army, but… «

»Not at all.« Yoichi looked up in surprise. Mika flashed him a short smile. »I think you'd do great. But why do you want to join?«

»I… I want to avenge my sister's death. She was killed by a vampire trying to protect me… I… I need to avenge her.« Mika hummed, thinking.

»You shouldn't focus on revenge that much. You would've been killed, too, if you would've helped her, right?« Ha. Like I can talk. »So…«

A loud bang. Screams. Smoke.

»Wh-what happened?!«

»Emergency alert! This is a message for all students and faculty members. A vampire from the near-by biological research facility has escaped. I repeat, all students…«

»Why is a vampire here?!«

»A-at our school?! «

Mika frowned. »Be quiet for a second, please.«

Vampires regain their strength when they drink human blood. Please do not approach the vampire even if you see it. I repeat…«

Shinoa took a deep breath. »Yoichi-san, please evacuate. Mika and I will call the Moon Demon Company- Mika?! Come back, please! Mika!«

The only thing he heard was the buzzing in his ears and his footsteps. This was his chance.

His chance to kill a vampire. To prove Guren he was ready for it-

But no, that wasn't the reason. The vampire could kill dozens of students before the Moon Demon Company arrived. He couldn't allow that. He wouldn't allow that.

He knew he shouldn't go by himself, it was stupid, he could die, but-

Yuu-chan… Akane-chan… everyone…

Students were lying on the ground, scared out of their mind. People were dying. A vampire would kill them.

Grabbing his sword from his locker, he climbed the stairs to his classroom.

There it was – a female vampire with long pink hair and eyes as red as blood, hovering over a female student.

No weapon. Weakened by the lack of blood.

She raised her head when she noticed Mika. »A little human? Don't interfere.« Mika scoffed and unsheathed his sword.

»Leave her alone, vampire.« I hope Guren and the others don't take too long…

The vampire laughed. »Ohh, scary. Fine, I'll drink your blood first if you want.« She launched at him faster than anything he ever saw before. Taking a few steps back, he blocked the attack and swung his sword. The vampire dodged easily. »Heh. Is that the best you got? How boring. Know your place, livestock!«

But Mika didn't let her upset him. He needed to keep his cool; buy enough time for Guren and his squad to finish the job. He knew he couldn't win. Not like this.

She was incredibly fast, moving swiftly from one attack into the next. Mika grit his teeth; Guren had been right – a real battle against a vampire was totally different from the training he went through before. He started panting.

Then he made a mistake, his body became slower with every move.

He tried to jump around the vampire to get to the on the teacher's desk lying girl. But she used this to grab him by the throat and smash him against the window, which broke in return and sent them flying toward the school ground. Mika grunted when they crashed into a bush. It became too hard to breath. H was greeted by the sadistic grin of the vampire. Damn…
»You're not bad… but not good enough. Livestock will never be able to overcome us vampires. I'm going to drink your blood before the Moon Demon Company arrives and-«

She suddenly stopped. Her red eyes widened in shock.

»Yo. You called?«
»Damn… a-a cursed weapon?« She lost her grip around Mika's throat when she was lifted by the sword inside her.

»Quit your screeching, vampire.« Then she was gone. Just like that. He shuddered and raised his gaze. He was met by Guren's mocking face. »Ah… Gure-«

»The hell are you doing? So eager to get yourself killed? You should know by now that a normal weapon isn't enough to kill a vampire.« Scowling, Mika sat up.

»I'm well aware of that. I was just trying to buy some time for you… that girl up there would've been killed if it wasn't for me.« He frowned. »I won't let anyone get killed by a vampire as long as I can prevent it.« Guren raised an eyebrow.

»Is that so.«

A loud laugh came from behind him. »Ahh, you're as awesome as always, Mika. Don't be too mad at him Guren, 'kay? I'm sure he knew what he was doing.« Goshi was grinning down at him.

»Still, he isn't ready yet to fight vampires. He knows he isn't allowed to.« Mito crossed her arms. Mika's sweetest smile appeared on his face.

»I'm really sorry, Mito-san. I didn't want to worry you.«

»Wh-what? N-no, I wasn't- I mean-« Mito stopped, face red. Guren sighed in annoyance.

»Okay, brat. You know how to use a sword, I know that. I still won't let you join the Moon Demon Company, though. For obvious reasons.« Rolling his eyes Mika stood.

»Yes, sir.«

»You didn't mean that, brat. Be more respectful; I'm your superior.«

»I apologise, Lieutenant Colonel Ichinose-sama.

»Mika!« Mika turned around when Shinoa grabbed him by his uniform. »What were you thinking?! Just attacking a vampire on your own like that?« She seemed upset. Mika smiled a little and patted her head.

»I'm sorry, Shinoa. I didn't mean to worry you.« He meant it this time. He wanted to say more, but everything suddenly seemed to move too slow… He noticed how Yoichi joined them and moved his lips toward him, but he couldn't make out anything…
»Hyakuya-kun!«

»Mika!« The darkness finally surrounded him completely and he fell asleep.

»I'm so glad he is okay… I thought he died.« Yoichi looked down at the unconscious blond lying on the hospital bed. Shinoa's hand rested on his forehead. »You and Hyakuya-kun are really close friends, huh?« She frowned.
»I wonder. I don't really know what it feels like to have a 'friend'«, she murmured. Yoichi blinked.

»Did you say something? «

»Nope~ Yoichi-san, do you still want to join the army?« He nodded. That was a thing he decided to do. He needed to avenge his sister's death…

»Then I have good news for you. You were accepted.«
»Wh-what? But why? I didn't do anything-«

»The LTC didn't tell me why. He just said both you and Mika have been accepted.« She glanced down at the latter. »Mika always desperately wanted to join the Moon Demon Company, but he never complained much. Actually, he never does much for himself. Always wanting to please others. You didn't get to see that side of him yet; he was pretty grumpy today. I don't know if it's the LTC's fault – he took him in four years ago and raised him since then by the way – or if he has always been like this. I think it's the latter though.«
»You don't know? «

»Mh. We don't talk much about our pasts.« She smiled at Yoichi. »But I do know that he already started to consider you a comrade, if not a friend.« Yoichi let out a nervous laugh.

»He seemed to be so tough today. I didn't think he was actually such a nice guy. I mean – of course I thought he was nice! Just…« Shinoa giggled.

»I know what you mean. But don't worry; even I don't know what is going on inside that head of his-Oh, he's waking up.«

»Uahhh…« Mika groaned and rubbed his eyes. »Where am I...«

»Good morning, sleepyhead ~«

»Oh, Shinoa… and Yoichi? What happened?«

»You fell unconscious after recklessly trying to defeat a vampire all by yourself, remember?«

»Oh… right.« He sat up. »So, what happened after that?«

»Hmm~ We brought you here, Lieutenant Colonel Guren ordered me to watch over you, you and Yoichi-san got accepted into the Moon Demon Company…«

»Ah, I see… Wait, seriously?« Shinoa grinned like a little kid. His heart stopped for a moment before continuing even faster; this face, it reminded him so much of them, it hurt…

»Yup. Welcome to the Moon Demon Company, Mikaela Hyakuya, Yoichi Saotome.«