Prolouge

Don't own KARIN. Or anything to do with it. I'm not even sure I own this fanfic. Hmm…that's a fascinating legal question. Oh well…

Music: What's on My Mind-Kansas

Headstrong- Trapt

Misty Mountain Hop- Led Zepplin

It's You- Kansas

Famous Last Words-MCR

Pressing On-Reliant K

Whispers in the Dark- Skillet

Come Sail Away- Styx

I Believe- Third Day

Simple Man- Lynnrd Skynrd

You Know You're Right- Nirvana

My Spirit Will Go On-Dragonforce

"But Maki!" Karin complained loudly, "It's so embarrassing!"

"You have to do it!" Maki insisted, brooking no arguments. "It's an absolute must!"

They walked side by side by side, down the street to Maki's house. This welcome day off from Julian's had become not so welcome fast. It was like a nightmare! She knows I can't! How can she suggest this?

"I do not have to! I can't, even I wanted to!"

Maki sighed in an overly dramatic way and rolled her eyes. She took on the tone of a mother to an ignorant, persistent child. "You don't have to, true…but think about it for just a moment and ask yourself: what would Usui-kun think? Hmm?"

Karin frowned, thinking. "I can't do that…but I don't want to make Usui-kun unhappy, either." Why does this kind of thing always happen to me? She lamented silently.

"Then it's all decided and final!" Maki announced cheerfully, grabbing her friends hand, and hurrying. " Don't worry, I promise you two will have a great time! Come Friday, you'll know everything, I promise!" she claimed triumphantly, pulling Karin along, who was flustered and who's arm hurt now.

"With my help, what could possibly go wrong?"

Somehow, Karin thought miserably, I have the impression a lot could go wrong.

No matter how many time I see it, I still can't believe it. Kenta thought as he watched his mother cheerfully humming to herself as she went to another table to take an order. It was weird, watching her be so cheerful and happy. He guessed it was for the better, but she was so energetic… At least she seems to be doing good at this job. The manager here hasn't tried to make advances and I don't have to work as much to pay for utilities. His mother waved at him from across the diner and he waved back and gave a little smile. Her smile seems more real now.

I've felt different myself, actually. Ever since the lake, he'd felt better, more lighthearted. More…everything, really. It was barely noticeable, but he did notice it. Now he knew what his mom had experienced, at least the physical part of it. It was surprising that he could think about that, seeing Karin and his mother, and not feel uncomfortable. Maybe it's because I've been there as well, done that. As he walked to the next table to take an order, he felt the tiny indentions at his neck and wondered why they didn't hurt much. At first, they'd been sore but the pain had faded after a day or so. "Your order, sir?"

The two men at the table looked up and one of them ordered two cheeseburgers, as well as a few other side dishes and smaller things. The other ordered the soup of the day and a few appetizers. When he was done taking the order, he realized they had ordered enough to feed at least three people. When he pointed that out to them, the one to his right grinned and agreed with him. "We're very hungry," he chuckled, and Kenta shrugged it off. Oh well. If they want to eat it all, who am I to stop them?

He glanced around for a second as he left, only to stop himself. Karin wasn't here today; it was her day off. Karin had mumbled something noncommittal about studying for the Final Exam but he wondered if she really would. Surprisingly, they were supposed to be study at her house, not Maki's after they picked up a few things. I may be used to and accept that she's a vampire, but her house is still a little scary. Karin's little sister, Anju…she gives me the creeps sometimes. She was scary enough before she awakened as a vampire, but now she's even quieter and she's always watching.

Oh well, he dismissed his thoughts, maybe I'll go see her when my shift ends…

The two men sat together in an isolated corner of the diner, talking softly in a language none of the other patrons could possibly recognize.

"Have you gotten a hint of them?"

"None. Absolutely nothing. They have to be here somewhere…but you how it is. Their scent fades quickly, and it's so feint in the first place…"

The man who had spoken first nodded in sympathy. He was tanned, and he wore a simple t-shirt and pants riddled with holes. Both his clothes and his hair were dirty, greasy and generally unkempt. He was slouched back against the window, his legs sprawled all over the seat. His eyes were a cold, intense blue and his hair was a long black mess. His friend looked nothing like him, the only similarities being their general lack of regard for hygiene. His friend, who had black hair with white highlights all through it, brushed the long part which covered one eye and sneered as he spoke, "Filthy bloodsuckers. I looked everywhere in the commercial district. That should be where I'd find the scent. I found nothing," he countenance fell suddenly and he looked down. "I am sorry I failed you."

The other man, who was older, laid his hand on the younger man's head and spoke quietly in his blonde comrade's native tongue, Norwegian. "It's alright. You are forgiven. You have only recently fallen under the shadow we all face. You may be young, but you will find them."

He switched back to his own tongue, French and continued. "We will search elsewhere, then. I have heard rumors in what small a community this area has of a Vampire Hunter, maybe even several. I shall procure his…help."

He laughed grimly as he fingered the small figurine at the end of his necklace, the symbol of his clan.