Wolf

Slash!

Hiss…

Dodge!

Growl.

This vampire was quite agile, Nodoka mused as she slashed and ducked as the creature's hand shot out to claw at her. Thankfully, the bespectacled leader was so well trained that this sort of close combat wasn't an issue; she did spare her friend a concerned glance when she noticed how furiously the other vampire was fighting.
Mio did her best to dodge all the blows but a lucky punch sent the raven-haired gunslinger flying.

"You humans are so fragile," Nodoka heard the blonde vampire hiss before claws dug into her shoulder, "You bleed so easily. I'll gladly feast on your blood once I've killed you."

"Hands off demon!" The leader barked as she jabbed her heel into the stomach of the creature, forcing her off. Nodoka then bent down and grabbed her musket off the ground right as Himeko turned her angry gaze onto her. The vampire lunched and the short haired leader brought the blunt end of her musket against the vampire's temple as she flipped the gun and pointed the barrel at Himeko. "I have no problem killing creatures like you," Nodoka growled as she pressed the barrel of her musket against the vampire's temple, watching those red eyes become wide with surprise, "And I will kill you for trying to harm my friends."

Before she could even pull the trigger, Himeko quickly smacked the musket away and jumped backwards into the fog and out of Nodoka's sight.

The bespectacled leader felt panic rise when she couldn't see the vampire. She knew the creature could easily jump out and attack her from anywhere and she desperately hoped Ui was still watching their backs.

"Nobuyo! Fall back!" Nodoka heard the creature call out.

"What? Are you insane Hime-chan? We have these hunters by the-" The black haired vampire protested as she held Mio in the air by her neck, watching her struggle with a sadistic smile on her face.

"Now! We have a big problem…"

The vampire, Nobuyo, hissed angrily and dropped the gunslinger to the ground before jumping backwards into the fog.

The raven-haired gunslinger shot up and trained her revolver on the fog, eyes shifting to every little sound.

"Calm down Mio… I think they're gone." Nodoka called out as she noticed the fog slowly becoming less and less dense.

Slowly Mio put her guns in their holsters and quickly put her fencing sword back in its sheath.

"But why? They had to upper hand… why did they leave now?" The raven-haired gunslinger asked as she pulled herself to her feet and began to survey their surroundings carefully as the fog disappeared.

It finally dawned on Nodoka that they hadn't heard Ui's rifle in a long while and worry began to force a crease in the older girl's brow.

"What's wrong Nodoka?" Mio asked as she noticed the crease.

"Where are Yui and Ui? I haven't heard Ui's rifle go off for a while… and I haven't seen Yui or that new pet of hers." The leader muttered as worried dark brown met stormy grey.

As if sensing the impending demise of their young friends the two more experienced girls turned to sprint only to see Yui running towards them.
"Yui! Where's Ui!" Nodoka called out as she ran up to her out of breath friend. "Where is she Yui… what happened? Why are you crying?" The bespectacled leader raised a hand to brush away the tears on the brunette's face as she caught her breath.

"U-Ui was attack! S-She was bitten by… by one of the vampires!" Once Yui yelled this, both Mio and Nodoka blanched. The youngest of their group bitten? The last family member Yui had could turn into one of those things, or worse…

"Where is she Yui? I can probably make something to slow down the changing process…" Mio trailed off when she noticed two figures walking towards them slowly. One she recognized as Azusa, the other was someone foreign.

The other young girl raised her eyes instantly catching Mio's and the raven-haired girl felt her lip upturn into a snarl and her hands reached for the guns at her side.

"No, Mio-chan don't!" Yui instantly tackled the taller girl over hands gripping her friend's wrists while Nodoka watched in confusion. "She saved Ui! Don't shoot her!"

"What do you mea-" Before Mio could say anything she watched as the new vampire dropped Ui's limp form into Nodoka's awaiting arms before backing away from the group.

"I don't expect any of you to trust me right away, but I do want to make myself clear," Jun said firmly as she closed her eyes, "My name is Jun. I'm here because Miss Hirasawa over there and I made a Blood Pact."

As the more experienced girls listened to Jun talk Nodoka quickly sat Ui down and began to tug the bloodied cotton shirt over her head.

"What is a Blood Pact exactly, Demon?" Mio hissed bitterly as she pushed Yui off and stood up fully, trying to look intimidating to the smaller vampire.

"A Blood Pact is the pact between a vampire and a human. In order to save ones life, the other must give their blood willingly to the other. This forms a master and slave relationship between the two."

"So you made Ui-chan your slave! I should gut you right where you stand!" The raven-haired girl yelled angrily as she reached for her sword once more.

"You misunderstand," Jun said, standing her ground completely even in the face of Mio's wrath, "Miss Hirasawa is my master."

Azusa blinked a couple of times at this new information and she looked over at the completely shocked expression on Mio's face while Yui looked on stunned.

"I will do everything in my power to protect Miss Hirasawa until my dying breath. And that is why I ask you permission to stay by her side in her time of healing."

Mio began to glare once more. She didn't trust anything this vampire was saying. What if it was all just lies? What if the moment they let their guard down she strikes and deals a final blow to the weakened Hirasawa? She didn't want something like this thing hurting any of her friends.

"Fine." The young raven-haired girl looked up stunned by Nodoka's words. "You can stay, but you have the same restrictions as Azusa. You can stay near the camp, but you're not allowed to get too close. And during the day time we'll supply you with our tent to shield you from the sun… we won't be leaving till Ui is in a better condition." Nodoka's sharp commanding eyes turned to look into shocked grey. "Mio, go look for herbs to help keep any infections away and that can help Ui's healing process."

"But-"

"Mio. Go."

The raven-haired gunslinger growled softly to herself as she stormed off into the forest.

Yui looked up at her childhood friend with adoration in her eyes, but as soon as those commanding eyes turned to her she instantly shrunk back.

"Yui… you should watch over Ui. I'm going to go scout the area. We've been exposed now we have to take turns making sure we stay safe." The leader said firmly as she pulled out her musket and slung it over her shoulder. "Don't let those vampires near your sister. And work on cleaning that wound." Nodoka knew after looking at the wound Ui was more then just bitten. She had been stabbed as well. The bespectacled leader figured the younger Hirasawa was actually letting the blood drip out of her to keep herself from changing.

That was smart Ui, but you're very hurt… Nodoka thought as she began marching off away from the campsite.

The elder Hirasawa watched as her friend disappeared back into the forest, leaving her alone with Azusa, Jun, and her injured sister.

"A-Ah. I should get you into the tent Ui." Yui muttered to herself as she picked her sister up into her arms.

"O… O-Onee…"

"Shh… Don't talk." The older brunette whispered soothingly as she walked over to the tent. She nearly jumped when Jun followed her and opened the tent flaps for her, but seeing the harmless intent in those red eyes put her mind slightly at ease. She quickly sat Ui down and helped her lie down before looking over the bloodied wound once more.

Azusa's eyes were locked onto Jun's form, looking over the blood the vampire was drenched in. She didn't understand how she had this much will power. She could barely keep herself away from Yui when she bled.

The pigtailed vampire shot a glance at Azusa before she closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh.

"I should go clean myself. Azusa, watch over them. I'll be back and we'll talk then." Jun whispered as she turned on her heels to make her way to a stream or lake that was near by.

The twin-tailed vampire watched her friend go before shifting her eyes onto the tent. That urge was back and it made her yearn for the brunette in a way that scared her.

How could she feel so much lust for someone, especially someone that is the same gender as her? Did it have something to do with the fact that Yui gave her blood? Or was it something else? Azusa didn't know, but she hoped that Jun would have the answers. So slowly the twin-tailed vampire snuck off to talk to the other vampire while Yui worked on cleaning her sister's wound.

The vampire in question finally found a steam and she quickly dipped her cloak into the running water. Once all the blood was cleaned off she set it aside and looked over her hands at the red liquid on her hands. She shook her head firmly before tugging her boots off her feet before her gaze went back to her hands.

Was that girl… Hirasawa Ui… was she the one that's been in my dreams? Jun mused as she stared longingly at the blood. I… I haven't fed on any human blood in such a long time...

That thought seemed to scare the pigtailed vampire so much that she instantly jumped into the steam to wash the remaining blood off her body.

I mustn't think like that. I must resist that urge. Always.

When Jun resurfaced, the blood had been cleaned from her body and she looked over her stained clothing listlessly. Those dulled red eyes staring at the bandages beneath.

Himeko and Nobuyo must have run off by now. I'm sure He knows by now and it's just a matter of time before he sends someone else after Azusa. But now I have two people to protect…

The pigtailed vampire pulled herself out of the stream and tugged her shirt off to wring the water out of it and began to work her boots back on.

"Jun."

Shocked eyes shot up to look into the confused and worried orbs of Azusa. The twin-tailed vampire slowly made her way over to her friend those eyes scanning the bandages on Jun's body before she sunk to her knees beside her.

"I-I'm sorry for running to find you, but… I'm sure Yui and her sister are going to be fine. But we have to talk, you have to tell me what's going on with my body."

Jun raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly before pulling her damp shirt back on.

"What do you mean?"

"I-I drank blood." Azusa watched as Jun's eyes went wide before she shook her head and sighed softly.

"I see… why did you drink?" The pigtailed vampire asked as she laid back waiting to listen to her friend's reason.

"I accidently stepped on a trap set by vampire hunters… I was stabbed by one a few stakes and I almost died," She felt her body begin to shake as Jun continued to stare at her curiously, "Yui found me and she stopped her friend from killing me… s-she offered me her blood-"

"Ah, I see, so you unintentionally made the Blood Pact with Miss Hirasawa's sister." Jun muttered as she sat up and gave the younger vampire a small smile. "That's nothing to be ashamed of-"

"That's not it. It's the feelings I'm getting every time I see her blood." Azusa interrupted as she frowned a little. "I keep… g-getting… well…"

"Oh spit it out Azusa, I can't help if I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Fine! I keep getting aroused by her!" Azusa yelled out before she slapped her hands over her mouth and began blushing brightly while Jun just laughed. "W-Why are you laughing! This is serious! Why do I feel like that every time I see and taste her blood!" The twin-tailed vampire felt like her friend was mocking her with those laughs. However, the laughs stopped and Jun placed a reassuring hand on her lower back.

"Oi, that's nothing to be ashamed off. You should understand that blood to us is our food and our source of life. Sometimes it can even cause pleasure." Jun said as she looked up at the cloudy sky a little before breathing out gently. "I haven't felt that before though. I'll let you in on a secret."

Azusa blinked in confusion but eagerly listened to what her friend had to say.

"I've never drunk human blood willingly. I've only drank it once and that was when I was first turned. It still isn't a pleasant memory. One of the few memories I have left of that… it's been so long." Jun muttered nostalgically while the twin-tailed vampire moved a little closer, obviously fully interested.

"How long have you been a vampire Jun?" Azusa asked as she stared over at her friend with sadness in her eyes.

"Hm… it's been a while. I use to keep count, but I don't anymore. I know it's been more then twenty-five years." The pigtailed vampire replied as she once again lay back to look up at the sky. "Time blurs together when you have other things to do and think about."

Azusa nodded understandingly before clearing her throat once more.

"Jun… how do you control yourself around blood?"

The older vampire shot her shaky friend a worried glance before closing those red orbs.

"It takes a lot of practice… I'm sure if you were covered in Miss Yui's blood you'd probably have gone into a frenzy. I guess we should work on that now shouldn't we." Jun said as she sat up and stretched slightly before pulling herself to her feet. "We have time now, would you like a little trial run?"

Azusa tilted her head curiously.

"Trial run?"

"Yep, let me see." The pigtailed vampire began to scan the area with glowing her eyes before quickly running off into the forest.

"Jun! Where are you-" Before Azusa could even get out her question the vampire was gone. The younger vampire sight irritably before she stood up to try and go find her. To her surprise, Azusa watched as Jun walked back dragging a large deer carcass behind her. "What the! H-How did you…"

"I'll teach you more about your abilities later, the one vampire ability I used is called vampire sight. You're able to see things humans can't Azusa." Jun explained as she sat the deer carcass down. "It allows you to see the blood flow in living things. If it has a beating heart you can see it. Again though, that is something I'll teach you later. Right now this is important." The pigtailed vampire hissed as she began to drag her claws down the side of the deer easily slicing it open and its blood began to spill out.

Nausea over took Azusa's senses and the twin-tailed vampire covered her mouth and nose to suppress a gag.

"Think fast!"

"Wha-"

Suddenly and without much warning Azusa felt the large deer carcass hit her body and the smell of fresh blood filled her nose. It wasn't the same as Yui's blood, but the amount that was on her made her choke out as she quickly dropped the body after instinctively catching it. As the younger vampire looked down at her drenched form she could feel something clawing to get out of the back of her mind. She wanted nothing more then to lick every little drop of blood off her body. She wanted to savor the sweetness of it… she had to have it.

"Azusa, don't you dare lick it." Jun's voice said firmly almost instantly snapping Azusa out of her thoughts making those eyes shoot to look at what she was doing. Her arm was slightly raised and her mouth was inches away from the large patch of blood located on her arm.

After swallowing back her queasiness, Azusa let her arm drop and her body began to shake.

"J-Jun. H-help-"

"Keep suppressing it Azusa. I know it's difficult, but you can do it. You're staying yourself so far." Jun replied as she watched the twin-tailed vampire struggle to keep herself in check.

She's actually doing much better then me… it took me a long time to master that. The pigtailed vampire thought as she walked over to Azusa. "Try thinking of something else. You're covering in animal blood right now… so think of something pleasant and joyful." Jun advised as she took note of every shake in the twin-tailed girl's body.

"This is cruel!" Azusa hissed as she tried to force herself to think of something else other then the smell of blood coating her very being.

I can't do this. There's so much on me. I have to lick it, just once. That's not bad right? It isn't human blood.

Azusa couldn't stop herself, but thankfully she was under the watchful eye of Jun. When the younger vampire raised her arm again to lick Jun quickly shoved Azusa into the steam. The sudden blast of cold water against her already cold skin was enough to shock Azusa out of her sudden blood frenzy as she pulled herself onto the bank. She gasped for air and shivered violently while glaring hatefully at her friend.

"What the hell was that for! It's just animal blo-"

"That's right. It's just animal blood." Jun interrupted as she frowned back disappointingly. "If you can't control yourself around animal blood what makes you think you can control yourself around Miss Yui?"

Azusa bit back any more comments that she would have said before looking down at the muddy grass under her.

She felt sick again and now she was freezing.

"Get up Azusa. You're stronger then a normal human now. Being tossed into a freezing stream isn't going to kill you." The pigtailed vampire said as she walked over and knelt down next to the still shivering girl.

"Says you. What if I'm the weakest vampire in the world?" Azusa asked bitterly as she turned to sit on her rear.

"I highly doubt that. The Vampire King wouldn't be as interested in you if you were weak." Jun replied as she stared up at the sky. Azusa looked over at Jun and couldn't stop the next comment that came out of her mouth.

"Then… why does he torture you?"

Jun looked at Azusa shocked, those blood red eyes wider then the twin-tailed vampire had ever seen in the short time of knowing her.

"How did you know he-"

"You didn't have those scars on your face the other day… and I was stabbed by a stake and don't have scars from that… so I figured…"

Jun reached up to touch the scar on her lip feeling its ragged and rough texture before sighing softly. She grabbed her cloak off the branch nearby before smiling sadly towards her friend.

"I… don't want to bore you with my life's story. Let's get back to your friends. I'm eager to see how they will try to heal Miss Hirasawa."

Azusa knew then it wasn't her place to push Jun to telling her about her past. If Jun didn't want to remember it then why should she bring it up? So Azusa stood up with her friend and the two of them made their way back towards the came, both completely unaware of the small vampire bat resting on a tree branch near by. It's red eyes watching and listening to their very move.

"I see. So that's how it's going to be." Growled the Vampire King as he swirled his bloody drink with one hand. "I knew Jun wouldn't listen to me. And now I know what they are planning." A toothy grin appeared on the large vampire's face as he turned his head back towards the young woman behind him. "Akira. I think you should go fetch Ichigo's body for me. Take Mika with you."

The dark haired vampire tilted her head in confusion.

"Mika, m'lord?"

"Yes. Her skills in the undead are quite amazing don't you think? While you're out have her… entertain our little group of heathens." The Vampire King purred out as he stood up fully, his stature easily towering over Akira's.

The young vampire bowed her head respectfully and turned to leave.

"Oh, and one more thing," Akira stopped as she heard the commanding voice behind her, "tell her not to hurt my gem. I want her in perfect shape."

Her claws dug into her palms as she clutched her fist tightly together as she repressed a snarl.

"As you wish… My lord." Akira muttered before walking out of the large throne-like room into the hallway.

There to greet her was a slightly shorter vampire with curly short blonde hair, her dulled red eyes staring up into Akira's inquisitively.

"What did he want?"

"He wants her alive." Akira replied as she stared sorrowfully into the curious gaze.

"Not getting jealous again are you?" The blonde asked, a small smile played on her lips.

"Don't start this again Ayame." The taller vampire growled as she pointedly walked passed the other girl as quickly as possible even though she knew the vampire would follow.

"You're always so cold towards me now…" Akira stopped when she heard the suddenly broken voice. "Don't you remember anything of what we use to do?"

The stoic expression on Akira's face faltered a bit before she felt cool lips press against the back of her bared neck. Her eyes fluttered and a soft moan escaped her lips as arms encircled her waist to pull her closer.

"Ayame."

"I miss you. You're always so busy doing things for him."

Akira quickly turned and pushed the smaller vampire up against the cold stonewall, fury back in those bright red eyes as she stared into unphased orbs.

"Don't do that. If it wasn't for Himwe would have been dead a long time ago-"

"You've changed so much though." Ayame whispered as she began to trail her hands up Akira's black cotton shirt. "Always so obsessed with being better then everyone… even in death."

The taller vampire snarled loudly. Before anything else was said their lips met in a fiery passion.

As they kissed Akira tugged the blonde's dress strap down slightly from her neck so she could drag her fangs against the pulse.

"I hate you. You know that right? I hate you so much. I don't need you to tell me my mistakes Ayame." The taller vampire growled out before sinking the fangs into the skin causing the other vampire to gasp in pleasure. Akira could feel Ayame's hands clutch her back so tightly that her claws dug and pierced into her skin, but that was forgotten as the blood began to flow against her lips.

"A-Akira… I hate you too." Ayame moaned out as she felt a hand sneak its way under her dress and into her undergarments. "Just… once more… t-tell me y-you hate me… once more tonight."

Akira's eyes became clouded with rage and arousal as she bit harder into the other vampire's neck.

"Don't tell me what to do."

As Azusa and Jun walked through the forest towards the campsite the younger vampire stared almost listlessly at the ground. Her mind was jumbled with thoughts that were completely foreign to her for all the things Jun told her did sound right, but she was still confused on how it worked. Why did she feel so attracted to Yui? Why was it that whenever she saw the girl's blood that it made her want to… do things to her? She let out a soft sigh that made Jun hum softly in response.

"Oh I'm sorry. I was just thinking to myself. And I'm exhausted…"

"You should have drunk some of that deer's blood."

Azusa frowned in sudden irritation as she shot a glare at the pigtailed vampire.

"You pushed me in the water before I could." Azusa stated plainly. She saw a slight smirk on Jun's face as the vampire shrugged a bit before her eyes caught sight of the camp. She noticed that Mio was now there and it looked like she was tending to the wound on Ui's shoulder while Yui watched worriedly.

But there was still someone missing.

"Azusa. I think you should head on. Watch the area carefully." Jun instructed as she turned to walk in a different direction from the camp.

"And where are you going?" Azusa asked as she watched her friend wander off.

"To look for the other friend of yours."

"She's not my- oh whatever." Jun heard the twin-tailed vampire mutter as she walked off. Part of her hoped that Azusa would learn to become friends with this small group of people.

It'll make things easier for you in the long run.

Jun began to jog through the brush trying to pick up the scent of the leader of that little group when she stopped in her tracks right at a small clearing. Blood Red eyes watched as the bespectacled leader was making strange hand motions in the air.

Jun watched for a moment longer before there was a brilliant flash of white light then a cold feeling was cascading down her entire being.

What the hell was that?

The pigtailed vampire decided to confront this Nodoka and see what exactly she was doing. After all, that was an interesting little trick she just pulled. So the vampire walked out of the bushes slowly and as none threateningly as possible so that when Nodoka turned around she didn't kill her on sight.

The leader did eventually hear her and she quickly turned to see who it was before her body relaxed, but only slightly.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to wander off?" Nodoka asked commandingly as she glared Jun down.

"Unfortunately, unless Miss Hirasawa commands me to listen to you then I don't really have to follow your orders. I'm actually here to make sure you're okay. It's dangerous being out here alone." The vampire mused as she tilted her head curiously towards the human.

Nodoka gave a soft "tck" noise before walking towards the brush, stopping a few feet near it, then began to do those strange hand motions again. But this time Jun could clearly see she was drawing runes in the air.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Jun asked, obviously surprised by the leader's knowledge.

"Unfortunately for you, you don't get to know where I learned this." Nodoka replied mockingly before there was another flash of white light and another cold feeling caused Jun to shudder.

"I deserved that. But I'm curious. What does that do?" The vampire muttered as she walked a little closer to the bespectacled human.

"If you must know, I'm setting up a perimeter so if anything else supernatural decides to show up. I'll know."

"Yes, you and whatever walks through that. I can feel it even though I didn't know what it was." Jun hissed as she began to rub her arms trying to get rid of the cold feeling.

"It'll be dead before it ever finds out just exactly what that feeling is," Nodoka replied as she turned around to face Jun with a small scowl on her face, "Why did you follow me here? I don't need another vampire around here. One is bad enough… especially with the way she's been looking at my friend." There was a venomous tone dripping off the bespectacled girl's tongue as she said this, but Jun was unphased by it. She stared calmly towards the human before shrugging.

"Like I said. Making sure you're okay. I'm really not here to suck your team's blood in their sleep… and not all vampires are bad. Just… the ones that are find them and kill them." Jun said softly. The vampire didn't know that Nodoka could clearly see the pain that had forced it's way into her eyes and she relaxed even more under that sorrowful gaze.

"I'm sorry for your loss." The leader muttered softly.

Jun seemed surprised by this, but she shook her head.

"Nothing you could have prevented. Anyway, shall we head back or do you need to continue?"

"No, we can go back. But you still have the same restrictions as Azusa." The leader had to make sure she hammered that into the vampire's head. She didn't need Ui getting bitten in the night by this beast and she would make sure Jun would follow her orders.

"Yes yes, as you wish o'great master." Jun said mockingly as she grinned towards the human. Nodoka was about to get onto her for that when the vampire stopped in her tracks and began sniffing the air.

"What is it-"

"Blood." Jun growled, her eyes shimmering in the dark. "And lots of it."

The two stared each other down respectfully before Nodoka grabbed her musket off her back and nodded towards the vampire.

"Show me where."

Instead of mocking her again Jun decided that this time, they needed to work together. For the scent of blood that had drifted past was too powerful to be normal. So the vampire nodded and took off running towards the smell.

It wasn't very strong, but as they drew closer to the source the smell began to thicken. Jun hadn't smelled anything like this in a long time. Not since that… massacre.

"D-D…"

Jun stopped running motioning Nodoka to stop as well. Confused by the vampire's actions, Nodoka was about to question her when she noticed the vampire was looking at something off in the distance. Following her stare the bespectacled girl's eyes fell onto a man who was badly mauled. His arm was almost literally hanging by a thin muscle as blood poured from his wounds.

"D-Don't…." He muttered weakly as Nodoka instantly ran to his side and began checking to see if there was any chance to save him. It didn't look very good at all.

"Don't talk, I'm going to help you-"

A weak push from the man made the shorthaired girl look up into the dying man's eyes. There was a fear in them she hadn't seen in anyone before.

"D-don't go… t-towards… t-the camp... g-gah ah… it'll k-kill you." The man choked out. Nodoka knew the man was losing too much blood and she wouldn't be able to save his life, but maybe she could find out what did this.

"Tell me," Nodoka whispered soothingly as she pulled her hands away from the man, "What did this? How many people were with you?"

"… i-it'll… kill…" The man exhaled once last time before his hand fell limp and his chest ceased to rise. The bespectacled girl bowed her head in remorse as she raised a hand to close the man's eyes. Whatever did this, it was powerful and it was deadly. And it was her duty to kill whatever it was. As Nodoka stood up she turned her head just slightly to regard Jun who was keeping her distance.

"Go back to the camp and tell Mio that something is out here-"

"And leave you to investigate it by yourself?" Jun asked while smirking ever so slightly. "I don't think so. I'm going with you. If you can't beat the monster that is causing that much bloodshed… I can."

Nodoka would have argued but even she didn't know what she was up against, having a vampire as back up actually seemed like a fairly good plan. So the bespectacled leader nodded her head towards Jun and the two of them turned once again to run towards the scene of the carnage.

Nodoka saw a lot of blood in her life, being part of the Order made it so you got to see carnage daily. So the scene at the man's campsite wasn't a huge shocker to her. But it was still pretty bad. There were bodies everywhere. Some torn limb from limb and others had large chunks of flesh literally ripped from their bodies. Had she not been desensitized to this, the shorthaired girl would have vomited on the spot. But her iron will made her press onward. What could have done this? What was savage enough to rip people in half?

Jun on the other hand was battling her inner beast at the sight of the gore. There was so much blood everywhere. She had to avert her eyes upwards towards the sky to keep herself from looking at the bodies. That urge all vampires got when they were around blood was surging through her begging her for a taste that she constantly denied. Finally when the urge died down once more, Jun dared to open her eyes and look around once more for anything of importance when a small figure caught her eyes.

"Over there." Nodoka heard Jun hiss lowly and dark brown eyes instantly landed on a small child, no older then Yui when they first met. Almost looked like Yui as well. The small girl was trembling fearfully while holding what looked to be a small rifle while her wide eyes stared horrifyingly at the body in front of her.

Nodoka noticed the child was pointing the gun at a young woman who looked to have been shot by this girl. The woman wore ragged looking clothing that use to be a pleasant tan color, but the dirt that stained it gave it a more dirt brown shade. She also had very short shaggy golden brown hair that was just as dirty as her clothing.

The bullet holes in her chest were large and obviously were from the rifle in the child's hands. Was that woman the source of the bloodshed?

Nodoka quickly jogged over to the young girl and knelt down beside her. She wanted some answers, but what she got was the child screaming in fear as she tossed the gun to the ground and bolted from the area.

Jun made to go after her, but was stopped by the sudden intake of breath by the supposedly dead woman.

The wounded girl's chest began to heave as air forced its way back into the cavities and sharp piercing amber eyes snapped open to stare into bewildered and shocked dark brown.

"A-Argh! You little brat! Is that anyway to treat your savior!" The woman yelled out angrily as she sat up fully, hands reaching up to dig into the wounds.

"What are you doing! You're hurt!" Nodoka blanched when she noticed the amber-eyed girl digging out bullets from the wound.

"N-No worries no w-w-worries. Argh! Son of a…" Once all the bullets were removed the girl stood up fully, bones and joints popping back into position before those intimidating amber eyes were once again focused on the bespectacled girl. "What are you doing here? Were you part of that caravan?"

"What? My business is my own. What's more important is who are you? And what business did you have with these people who were all murdered?" Nodoka commanded, trying to use her superior knowledge of the situation to get straight answers.

The amber-eyed girl stared owlishly at her before lips opened wide to allow a loud roar of laughter to come from her lips.

"Them? Murdered? Hahaha! How naive you are… no no you couldn't be part of this caravan. You'd know what you're guilty of. Ah, but that's good… that's very good. Tell me what your name is cutie and I'll tell you mine." Suddenly this woman was a lot more threatening in Nodoka's eyes as she strutted up towards her with a devilish grin on her face. But before the woman could get any closer Jun stepped in front and glared challengingly towards her.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Move out of the way little one this doesn't…" Suddenly amber eyes narrowed as they were met with blood red. "Vampire."

"Mutt." Jun barked causing Nodoka to look at her wide-eyed.

"Oh so you know what I am?" The woman asked as she bared her teeth at the young vampire. "I'm surprised you're not feeding on your little pet."

"She's not my pet and you're one to talk. You reek of blood…" Jun hissed as she waved her hand in front of her face as if to fan an invisible stench away from her.

"Shut up, you don't even know the whole story. Did that girl even tell you what happened? Did she tell you who those men were?" A dangerous snarl appeared on the woman's lips as she marched closer to Jun.

The vampire stood, not even flinching as the woman got closer and more menacing.

"Those men kidnapped her from her village. I was merely doing my job making sure they don't… kidnap again."

Jun stared at Nodoka from the corner of her eyes and noticed the leader had her hands on her musket, ready for if the woman would attack.

"I'm not the monster here. They were. And I killed them like I would kill any other monsters…" As if to prove a point, the woman relaxed and stared listlessly at Jun and Nodoka.

"My name is Tainaka Ritsu. And if you want to kill me go ahead."

As the vampire stared at the wolf, trying to gauge if she was telling the truth or not, she felt the bespectacled leader beside her shift slightly.

"What is with the sudden change of heart in creatures of the night…" Jun heard Nodoka mutter before she lowered the musket and shook her head. "I don't like this, but fine. You can go."

"Go?" Ritsu asked as she tilted her head curiously. "You're not going to kill me?"

"Did I stutter wolf?" The bespectacled girl asked as she put the gun back in its holster. "Go on now. Run back to your master."

Anger flared in those amber eyes and as Nodoka turned around to walk away, the tiny wolf lunged. Jun reacted instinctively and tackled the girl before she even came close to the leader before she pinned Ritsu's hands above her head and glared down at her.

"Control yourself, mutt! I'd hate to have to actually kill you myself."

"Go ahead and try! My curse is to forever be what I am! I can never die!" The two creatures stared into each other's eyes, both trying to figure out the other. "I'm sure you know what that's like. Not being able to remember who or what you use to be… and wishing it would all just end. Though it'd be easier for you." Ritsu whispered sadly as she turned her head to one side. "All you'd have to do is wait for the sun. However, my curse allows me to live in the sun normally. If I wanted to."

Jun exhaled and the tension in her body left as she removed herself from the wolf and stood up.

"You… can't die?"

"I've tried. The wound just heals."

The vampire put her tongue to her teeth and looked over her shoulder towards Nodoka who motioned for her to follow.

"We have things to do Jun. Leave her."

Reluctantly the vampire turned on her heels to follow Nodoka back to their campsite, leaving the broken creature to lick her wounds.

"We should have helped her." Jun mumbled softly.

"There was nothing we could have done for her." The leader replied firmly.

"But she's just as lost as Azusa and myself. We should have at lea-"

Jun stopped in her tracks as a sword was drawn and pressed firmly against her throat.

"I have enough strays I need to look after. I don't need another. Do I make myself clear?" Nodoka growled lowly, as if daring the vampire to retaliate.

"Crystal." Jun replied as she glared into those shaded eyes. She could tell the bespectacled girl was not in a good mood and she couldn't blame her. The shorthaired leader pulled her sword back and slid it back into its sheath before marching on back to the campsite.

Jun was happy to see Azusa standing off to the side, watching as Mio applied a sort of greenish paste to Ui's wounds while Yui continued to hold her sister's hand worriedly. But by the looks on Ui's face, the girl was already feeling better.

"Does it hurt Ui-chan? You have to tell me if it does. That usually means I made it wrong-"

"No no… you're doing fine Mio-san. I feel much better thanks to you." The ponytailed girl replied with a smile.

"Good girl. You're very brave. I wouldn't have been able to do what you did." The raven-haired gunslinger said as she smiled brightly before patting the youngest of her team lightly on the head. "You need to rest now. The ointment has been applied now all you have to do is allow it to work."

"Okay Mio-san."

"Ui… are you sure you'll be okay? Do you want me to sleep in your tent with you?" Yui asked worriedly as she brushed her thumb over her sister's knuckles.

"No, I'll be fine Onee-chan. Just help me in to the tent please?" Ui asked as her eyes fluttered a bit from exhaustion.

Before Yui to move to help her sister out, Nodoka and Jun stepped into the fire's light and the vampire quickly made her way to her master.

"Allow me." Jun whispered kindly, showing no harmful intent in those blood red eyes.

At first, the older Hirasawa looked like she wanted to protest, but when Ui allowed the vampire to pick her up no protests left the older sibling's lips.

Jun took the small girl's weight easily in her arms as she ducked her head to enter the tent. Once inside, she noticed the hole she had made earlier had been mended and a futon laid out with small pillows around it.

"You can… put me down now."

The pigtailed vampire shuddered softly at the feeling of the younger Hirasawa's hot breath against her neck from how she was resting against her. But she did as she was told and laid Ui out on the futon as gently as possible.

Their hands brushed against each other causing something to flutter within Jun's chest as their eyes met.

"Thank you for saving me." Ui whispered as she gave Jun an appreciative smile. "I… really didn't want to die."

"Of course, Miss Hirasawa. I'm glad I could help." The vampire muttered obediently as she stood up to leave. But a weak hand gripped her wrist, a touch that incited more then it should have in the russet-haired vampire.

"You don't have to keep calling me that. Please call me Ui."

Jun turned to look into those kind eyes once more and her heart began to thump madly in her chest. Those eyes were directed at her. How can one human be so kind? So gentle… even when she was a monster.

"Very well. Ui… if you weren't in the right state of mind when I helped you I'll give you my name again. My name is Jun... and if you don't mind I have to go. Your leader doesn't like the idea that I'm in here with you, I'm sure." Jun whispered as she pulled her hand free from Ui's grip.

"Oh, right. She's… we all aren't use to seeing vampires up close and that aren't… you know. Trying to kill us." The ponytailed girl muttered, trying hard not to sound rude to the creature who had saved her. "Just give us time… I'm sure we'll become better friends."

"Yes Ui. I'm sure we will. Please rest now. You've been through a lot. Oh." Jun instantly was back at Ui's side so fast it made the younger girl squeak loudly before being silenced by a hand touching near the wound on her shoulder. "I have to warn you. I had to give you enough of my blood to give you hellish dreams. These are dreams usually the fresh vampires get… they are not pleasant dreams." Jun whispered against Ui's ear. Being this close to the vampire made the younger girl's body shiver fearfully, but she took those words into consideration.

"W-What should I do?" The ponytailed girl asked.

"If you're afraid… call for me. I'll always come to you." The russet-haired vampire purred out softly as she pulled away from her master slowly. "Just remember… whatever you see isn't real… but if you get too scared… call for me. I'll be there."

Ui was about to ask more questions but Jun had already slipped out of the tent quickly. So the young Hirasawa did as she was told and laid back down to allow the medicine and the vampire's blood to work.

"Two vampires are hanging around us like flies! I don't like this at all!" Azusa watched as Mio began to yell angrily at Nodoka. There was obviously something deeper in Mio to force her to act like this when she and Jun were around.

"I know you're upset Mio, but-"

"But nothing! You know how I feel about this!"

"Calm down Mio. I know exactly how you feel, but if there is a chance that they can help us then why shouldn't-"

A growl silenced Nodoka's explanation as the gunslinger turned around and crossed her arms.

"This is a really bad idea Nodoka. Even for you. If the Order found out-"

"We aren't part of the Order anymore Mio! You were there when we left them!"

Azusa felt Jun stand beside her before whispering out.

"The Order? You two can't possibly be part of the Holy Knights are you?" The twin-tailed vampire heard the russet-haired vampire ask.

"This conversation is none of your business vampire!" Mio snapped making Jun raise her hands defensively.

"Relax. I was just curious since he kills people from the Order on sight." The russet-haired vampire replied making both Nodoka and Mio go silent once more. The two exchanged looks before Mio frowned even more.

"See, keeping them both here will only put us all in danger. My whole life's goal is to be able to protect people from them. How do you expect me to trust them after what their kind did?"

Nodoka sighed irritably as she ran her hand across the back of her neck as she shook her head slightly.

"I don't expect you to trust them, I just want you to tolerate them." The bespectacled leader hissed softly before those dark brown eyes focused once more on her hotheaded friend. "Please just try to tolerate them. If they can lead us to his hide out then all should right itself."

The leader watched the raven-haired gunslinger think hard on the situation, still not fully on board with it, but the frustrated young woman nodded before turning around.

"I guess we should rest then. We can eat that boar that got cooked earlier." Mio whispered softly, as if trying to subtly make peace with her long time friend and leader. Nodoka seemed to easily accept the advances of peace by walking over and giving the gunslinger a pat on the back.

"Sure, get it ready. And the sun should be rising in a few hours so we have time before we have to move Ui out."

From the side Yui finally walked over to her two friends. Azusa could see it unsettled her when Nodoka and Mio fought, but once they made it she seemed eager to mingle with them after such a stressful night.

"Actually Nodoka-chan, it's fairly cloudy and I can smell rain… so I suggest we set up the large sheet over the tree branches so our campsite doesn't get drenched." The oldest Hirasawa said as she gave a weak smile to her friend.

"That sounds good. Mio, get out the meat… and do you still have that vial of blood?" Nodoka asked as she walked over quickly to the gunslinger. Mio blinked in confusion before reaching into her pocket to produce the small glass vial. Nodoka took it with a small thanks as she walked over to Jun and Azusa.

"It's been a while since you last drank. You both should take at least a sip of this."

Azusa was about to protest when Jun immediately stepped forward and took the vial while bowing her head.

"Thank you. We will."

Nodoka seemed pleased by the response and she turned to quickly help Yui get the large rain sheet over the small camp area by hanging it from the tree branches above it.

The twin-tailed vampire looked over at her friend curiously as the russet-haired vampire uncorked the vial and brought it to her lips. Azusa watched in fascination as Jun swallowed a good portion of the blood before handing it to her.

"Drink it. It'll help restrain you from 'attacking' Miss Yui again." Jun said with a sly smirk causing the raven-haired vampire to blush darkly.

Azusa figured her friend was right and that she really didn't feel like doing that again to Yui. So she took the vial a little forcefully and brought it to her lips to drain it of the last little bit of the boar's blood.

She almost gagged on reflex. It didn't taste near as sweet as Yui's and the smell was a bit disgusting as it wafted past her nose, but out of respect for her friends, she swallowed the blood whole and shuddered. She could feel her body instantly take the nourishment quickly and her grogginess began to fade away.

"Feeling better?" Jun asked.

"Much, thank you… I guess I should have done that earlier." Azusa replied as she handed Jun the vial while looking over at the small band of hunters before turning to look at her russet-haired friend from the corner of her eyes.

Jun looked to be deep in thought and those usually sharp red eyes were dulled with an unknown emotion. Curiosity began to prickle in the back of Azusa's brain as she cleared her throat to get her pigtailed friend's attention.

Jun's eyes lightened up and she turned her head towards the cat-like vampire while offering a tender smile.

"I think you and I should train a little more. We have a couple of hours so how about it?" Jun suddenly sad making Azusa look taken aback by the abruptness, but she agreed since she wanted to learn a little more about what she was capable of.

"Okay follow me, we'll go out a little ways so you can learn to perfect and hone your vampiric sight."

Azusa followed eagerly, smiling a little at the fact that she was going to get to learn from someone much more experienced. Jun was also one of the kindest vampires she had ever heard or met and she was happy this russet-haired vampire was her friend.

Sleep came easily for the youngest Hirasawa as exhaustion took over her mind and body. But when her eyes opened next, Ui found herself in a valley surrounded by boulders and cliffs. It was also hurricane like winds pounding knife-like raindrops against her feverish skin. The ponytailed girl briefly wondered if this was the dream Jun warned her about as she began walking aimlessly through the rock-like valley. Her eyes strained to see three feet in front of her while an arm was raised to shield her eyes from the icy rain that started to sting as it pelted her body. She was surprised how vivid this dream was, she could smell the rain and feel the hard rock ground beneath her feet, but what truly surprised her was the pain from the ice drops hitting her wound.
It felt real.

It was hard to hear anything over the roar of the winds, but Ui could faintly make out groaning noises getting closer and closer to her position. The young Hirasawa didn't know if she wanted to really find out what that noise was so she sped up to a slight jog as chocolate eyes began to search for a way out of this valley. Finally, she saw a thick vine leading up to the very top of the cliff and it looked sturdy enough to hold her weight. The only issue was her arm. She could still feel the searing pain in it as she reached up with both hands to grab the plant, making her gasp audibly.

She figured if she could climb this cliff and get out, the dream would end and she could wake up. But as soon as she started pulling herself up the rocky cliff side something grabbed her ankle and almost yanked her off the vine.

With a startled gasp, Ui quickly looked down to see what had grabbed her. Chocolate eyes widened in horror as she saw the whole valley was now swarming with ghouls. Each one of them bearing their fangs up at her while three more hands shot up to grab her ankles and feet.

"N-No get away!" Ui yelled frantically trying to hang onto the vine for dear life, but her shoulder begged her to let go as pain began coursing up and down her body.

Ui didn't understand how, but she was pulled down far enough that one of the ghouls grabbed her tightly around the neck easily prying her off the vine and down into the mob. She gave a terrified scream as she felt the monsters dig into her flesh. Fangs, claws, and rotting fingers dug into the breaks in her skin and ripped chucks of flesh off her as tears cascaded down her cheeks while screaming as long as she could. Why wouldn't she die? She had wounds everywhere! Even her neck suffered large chunks being ripped from it. She wanted to die right now, it felt exactly like being bitten by that vampire.

"H-Help me! A-Argh!"

"Ui! What's wrong with her?"

Blinking through the tears, the agonized girl heard a familiar voice above the groans of the ghouls.

"I don't know, her fever spiked! Mio do you have any more of that ointment?"

"Yes I do, but I doubt that'll help, it seems like something else is causing this, Nodoka."

It was her friends. She recognized those voices anywhere. They had to wake her up! But even though she could hear them it didn't phase the dream one bit. The ghouls continued to tear into her flesh like they hadn't had a meal in years making her scream louder.

"S-Save me… I d-don't want to feel this…"

"Call for me. I'll always come."

That's right. How could she have forgotten the simple command the vampire gave her? The pain caused in this dream seemed to have dulled her mind badly, but now that she remembered the voice she couldn't help by cry out, hoping her voice would carry over into the real world.

"Jun-chan!"

"Now that's no fun. You shouldn't call for the little runt just yet." A new voice called out and the vine she had previously tried to climb jumped to life and wrapped around her mouth and throat, constricting slightly making it very hard to breath.

Terrified chocolate eyes looked around frantically for the source of the voice before landing on a figure not too far away.

It looked familiar, but Ui's vision was beginning to blur from lack of air and pain.

"Don't worry little one, it'll all be over soon."

The voice was dangerously calm and soothing as if trying to lull her into death. But Ui continued to fight the feeling.

"Mmph! Mmh!" Ui continued to call out for Jun even though her mouth was constricted. She figured even though it was constricted in this dream it wasn't in reality.

"Shut up!" The figure yelled angrily.

"Why is she calling for that vampire!"

"I don't know- what the hell?"

"Get out now! Go defend the camp!"

"Nodoka-chan! What's that!"

Ui felt her stomach drop as the sounds of her friend's voices began to get faint. Not because she was losing consciousness, but because they were leaving her side to do something else. But what? She was in pain, she was dying couldn't they see that?

"Sad isn't it, that they'd rather turn their attention to something else other then you." The voice mocked as Ui felt her body grow colder. "They don't care about you or what happens to you. You're too wounded to care for… they don't care if you die."

No, it couldn't be true. It was just a dream. She had to wake up. Jun had to help her!

Ui tried once more to call for help before feeling her chest tighten to the point she couldn't breath at all.

"So do you understand a little better Azusa?" Jun asked as she watched her friend focus hard on trying to see the hunters from their position above the camp.

"A little, but I'm having trouble making them out… so you just focus on their pulse? And then… you'll see it?" The twin-tailed vampire asked as she squinted her eyes once more down towards the camp.

"Yes, you should be able to see their hearts first. Then the heart beats it should pump the blood through their veins giving you the perfect outline of them." The russet-haired vampire replied while keeping a close eye on Azusa's progress. She was doing pretty good considering. It helped that she was eager to learn.

"Oh I see what you mean!" Azusa suddenly exclaimed proudly as her eyes began to glow bright red. She was able to see Nodoka, Mio, and Yui walking around the campsite while Ui was lying in the tent. At first Ui's heartbeat was slower then everyone else's and it made Azusa realize she had just now fallen asleep. She was about to comment on this when the younger Hirasawa's heart rate began to get faster and faster.

"J-Jun, something's wrong with Ui."

"What?" Jun was suddenly at her side, eyes glowing just like her own as she stared in the direction of Ui's form. She could see the blood rushing through her veins fast and her heart was beating rapidly against her chest.

"She must be having a nightmare, I'm going back-"

A loud collection of groans caught both Jun and Azusa's ears making them quickly turn to the source.

"What is… that?" The raven-haired vampire asked as her eyes went wide at what she saw.

The russet haired vampire narrowed her eyes in anger.

"Mika."

"Jun-chan!"

The more experienced vampire groaned softly and held her head as pain flashed through her mind.

"Jun? Are you okay? What's going on? What are those things?" Azusa asked worriedly as she looked down at the increasing number of limping creatures that seemed to have no heartbeat what so ever.

"First of all, they are vampire ghouls. They do whatever their master wants them to do. And the large number of them means that it's a powerful vampire… We need to warn yours friends!"

The two vampires quickly jumped down from their position in the trees and rushed back towards camp with the ghouls tailing them.

"Jun-chan!" Ui yelled out again in her sleep as sweat and tears rolled down her cheeks. The young Hirasawa was now surrounded by her small group of friends as they tried to look for the source of her agony. Her body was shivering and they could tell by her ever-dampening shirt that the fever was much worse then they had feared.

"Why is she calling that vampire's name!" Mio yelled out worriedly as she began to undo the younger Hirasawa's shirt once more to put some more ointment on the wound.

"I don't know-what the hell?" Nodoka gasped out as she stood up quickly as Jun and Azusa rushed into the tent.

"Get out now, go defend the campsite!" Jun yelled out, there was a commanding tone in her voice as well as worry that laced it making Nodoka not really question her intentions before she rushed out to see what was going on.

As Yui ran out with her the brunette's eyes went wide as they fell on the figures that were limping towards their destination.

"Nodoka-chan! What is that?" The older Hirasawa yelled as the groans got louder.

"Ghouls… lots of them. Get ready to fight Yui." Nodoka ordered making the brunette pull out her revolver and train it on the group. "Azusa, take this." The bespectacled leader said as she tossed her extra sword to the vampire who caught it expertly. "We'll need your help."

The young vampire nodded and got ready for once of her first big fights.

Back in the tent, Mio glared up at Jun while the vampire continued to stare at her.

"I'm not leaving you in here with her-"

"If you don't go help your friends they'll all die anyways. I give you my word that if I do cause Ui harm you have every right to end my life. Do you understand me! I swear it!" Jun yelled irritably, the worry was more noticeable this time as well as the desperation that was in her voice.

The raven-haired gunslinger's face fell a little at the tone before casting a look back down at the twisting Hirasawa. Her face was scrunched up in agony as she yelled out once more.

"J-Jun-chan!"

"Please! Let me work… let me save her. I can!" Jun begged this time, getting on her hands on knees in front of the taller girl while bowing her head to the ground.

Mio bit her lip hard, but finally pulled herself up and glared down at the vampire.

"I'll take your word. But if she dies, you do too." The gunslinger said firmly before rushing out to stand with the others, her guns already out of their holsters in aimed towards the oncoming attack.

"I seriously doubt we can take on this many ghouls by ourselves Nodoka. Even with the help of a vampire." Mio replied as she felt sweat dripping from her brow as she looked over just how many ghouls were closing in on them. They were completely surrounded by wave upon wave of undead.

But just before the ghouls could get any closer, an unearthly roar rang out.

From the left side of the camp came the sound of loud heavy footsteps before a large furry beast landed in front of the group.

Everyone looked stunned for a bit as the hulking creature growled warningly at the ghouls that continued advancing.

"Let's see how well you do against three hunters, a vampire and a werewolf!" The large creature growled as she turned her amber eyes towards Mio and Nodoka.

"What the…" The gunslinger mumbled out numbly.

Just what have they gotten themselves into?

Author Notes: Whew, this chapter was actually really slow… I'm also very sorry for the long waits between chapters. . I've been very distracted and I don't mean to be, but it happens. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter as well as the introduction of Ritsu. Yes she's finally here.

Beta Note: .

-cuddles werewolf Ritsu and runs away-