Digging into the Dark of Night!

The long day had finally settled into the cool aura of night. With the sun gone and the moon just a thumb nail in the star-lit sky, the Moore family started to feel more comfortable around me. Even me. The night was always the more relaxing part of my life, but now – this night was going to be a Hunting Night.

I had to make sure Rachel and her father were clueless to my plans as the boy; AKA Jimmy Kudo, just sat close to me while drinking a cup of warm, orange spiced, tea. Though we were mostly quiet and polite, Rachel noticed how Conan was taking to me.

"Whatever you two talked about must have been nice. I've hardly seen Conan relax so quickly around someone new," Rachel smiled sweetly. Conan blushed a bit as I smirked down at him.

"What can I say? I'm a growth on kids," I smiled as I crossed my legs on the recliner.

More like a scab on my rear.

Watch it, boy. I can still hear your thoughts.

Conan/Jimmy froze in his seat as he carefully stole a gaze my way. I flashed him a warning of my own but held my smile. Signaling the end of the day, I stretched and yawned flexing my jaws as I did. Though the others tried not to stare at my teeth, and wince a bit at the sound of my bones popping. "Well," I said after collecting myself and stood up. "Time for bed."

"I couldn't agree more," Richard replied dryly and also stood up to prepare for bed.

"I guess it is getting late," Rachel looked at the clock, and then yawned rather deeply too. "Okay. Let's go. Night, Conan." She waved as we walked away.

"Night, Rachel. Night, C." The boy waved as he hopped of the recliner and headed for his room.

I'll see you later tonight. I mentally told him with a wink. He frowned but nodded his head once. Though sneaking off was a bad idea, he knew we needed to find something tonight before my time in this country was up.

As soon as Rachel was in her bed, and I in my hammock, she was about to turn off her desk light, when she paused with a thought on her face. I noticed her hesitation and inwardly frowned. I knew what was going to happen next. She had a question; and probably an irrational question that someone like myself 'might' answer for her.

"Hey, C? Can I ask you something?" She turned to me, her distraught shining through her eyes.

"Sure," I said, trying to keep my cool.

"You – can find anyone in the world with just their scent, right?" She asked, her blue eyes staring deeply into mine. Oh boy. Why am I not surprised?

"Depends," I stated truthfully. "The scent of that person has to be clear. Even then, that person can change their scent through perfumes and such. I'm no bloodhound, but my nose isn't the only thing I depend on."

"I know. I just…" She trailed off when she looked at her photograph of herself and Jimmy. "I really want to see Jimmy again."

"Ah. You want me to find your elusive boyfriend," I smirked and she lightly blushed. Though I knew she was gonna ask me that eventually, I just didn't think it would be this soon! "Well, I'll need a bit more info on him, but it shouldn't be impossible."

She smiled after I said that. Well, I couldn't lead her on too much false hope, but a little doesn't hurt either. "I hear you do incredible things. And that should be obvious to me since you saved Conan and I from that fall."

"It's just as I told your friend's father," I said calmly and laid back on the hammock, "I can only do what I can. But, I'll do my best under these limited circumstances."

She turned to me fully and we shared a smile. "Thank you," She said and we shared a small sediment moment. Well, it's better than having her burst into tears! I can't stand that, let alone my own.

"Well, good night," I said and folded my arms behind my head.

"Right. Good night," She finally said after waking herself up from her thoughts. Oh, boy. Talk about your mushy relationships! Turning off her lamp, Rachel pulled herself in her bed and relaxed under her warm covers. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep as I listened to Rachel's heartbeat. When her breathing became slow and steady as her mind drifted into itself, I opened my eyes again and quietly stood back up. Looking through the darkness for me was easy, what with being half-vampire and all gave me the edge I need without a flashlight. It also made sure that I wouldn't bump into anything of Rachel's small room.

Hearing loud snoring from a few walls afar, I rolled my eyes as I deducted Mr. Moore's beer-induced dream. At least I don't have to worry about him waking up anytime soon. I smirked as I put on my coat and boots. Going to the window I carefully opened it and climbed out onto the stone wall. I knew this was the easiest way out, without catching somebody's attention. Although I made sure no one was out in the streets, I quickly closed the window and walked towards the room little Jimmy was staying in. I sure hope he's ready for this.


I'm ready for this! I'm ready for this! Jimmy paced back and forward in his room, for he was still nervous about going through this. Sure he had made risks to find clues before, but this was on a whole new scale of trouble! They were going up against a cunning kidnapper who could turn homicidal at any minute! For reasons still unknown, the Black Organization where in on it too! To know that his enemies were allying like this was unsettling. It could turn deadly for them both!

Making sure all his little gadgets were working, including his small camera, he waited for C to arrive at his door. This had to be the most insane thing he's done since his shrinking. Looking at the time to see it was now half past ten, he wondered if she decided to change her mind. Sure Richard would take no time to knock himself out, but he remembered how Rachel could be a light sleeper. Maybe she couldn't get away?

He stopped his pacing when a light knock came from his – window? Turning to the small frame above his bed, he jumped to it and peered outside. Nothing at first, and for a second he thought it was a bird. What else could tap at a third story window? Yet, the face of Dampire C, hanging upside down and staring at him with those cat-glowing eyes appearing out of nowhere, definitely startled him. He was so unprepared for the sight that he acutely yelped and fell backwards off his bed, making a loud thud.

"Shusssssssssssh!" C put her finger to her lips after prying the window open from the outside. Her eyes narrowed angrily at him as he sat frozen on the floor, apparently still surprised at seeing her there at all. She then turned those hazel eyes to his door and watched it, as if waiting for someone to burst it open. When no one came, she let out a breath of relief. "Kid, you really need to take a yoga class. I can hear your little heart drumming like mad all the way in your girlfriend's room."

"Don't freak me out like that then!" He whispered back rather miffly as he got off the floor. I smirked as he stood back on his bed again to meet me.

"Aren't you going to put a pillow or something under the covers?" I pointed out to the flat surface of his covers.

"That wouldn't fool anyone," He huffed at me.

"It will at first glance," I explained coolly, "A groggy mind in the morning won't become suspicious over a lump under the covers." My reasoning made him scrunch his nose at me in irritation, but it did make him do as I asked.

"Okay, fine," He growled in his cute, kid-like voice. "Although I'd like to know what you're using as a cover up."

"I have no excuses, so what would be the point?" I smirked as he narrowed those big blue eyes of his at me. "This will just be a good excuse to you. After all, I know what I'm doing so I don't need a cover up."

"You sure are confident in your abilities, hu?" He scoffed at me and a grinned.

"I have a good reason to be," I said and then held out my hand for his. "Come on now. Time isn't exactly on our side, you know?"

"Ya, I'm coming," Jimmy groaned at the thought of being pulled out of that window and into the arms of this woman. But at this point, he didn't have many options. As she had said; they need to work together and do the unthinkable in order to find the clues necessary for this case and save those kidnapped kids.

Once his small hand was in mine, I easily pulled him out of the window and held him to my chest. His hands balled into fists on my black coat as soon as fresh air hit his face. "Relax. This isn't a first time for me."

"Ya? Well, it is for me!" He yipped out like a frightened puppy and I had to fight down a laugh. I must be crazy myself for having a boy; with the education of a high intellect, accompany me on a possibly dangerous hunt! But, what choice do I have? Eventually, I'd be ratted out by him (despite my knowing of his true identity) and be caught before I found anything useful! Sighing, I held him to my chest and started for the roof. This was going to be interesting for sure!

Once on the roof, I moved him to my back so I can hold onto his feet under my armpits. His hands went to hold the folds of my coat around my neck as his chin rested on my right shoulder.

"So now what?" He asked as I stared off into the distance of Tokyo.

"Now what? I'd think that would be obvious," I smirked at him as I easily balanced us on the edge of the building. "We begin the hunt."

"The… hunt?" Jimmy swallowed nervously and the quickly shook himself out of his fears, "We're not on a Game Trail, you know!"

"Speak for yourself."

"Listen! We're out here to find clues! Not to start a fight!" Jimmy hissed at me as I pursed my black lips in irritation. This boy is going to be a pain in my ass tonight! "You wanted to find the dock that I was suspecting of weapon's trades or not?"

Releasing an aggravated breath, I turned my head to look at him sideways. "Fine. Which way to this dock?"

"The last time I checked it was at the Port of Kawasaki," He said and pointed just south of us. "That way."

"Hmm. Is it possible that whosever behind the trades could be moving between other ports?" I asked, thinking the worst already. I don't want to break into some ships dock and find nothing!

"Probably," He said and this time I did groan. Japan, along with China and other countries, is famous for its many Trade Deals of the Eastern World to the West. This place has A LOT of ports; not just for fishing. Not to mention their many storage houses!

"I am not in the mood for 'Needle in the Hay,'" I growled out, but I had to trust this kid's intuition. He does live here after all.

"Me neither, but I'm pretty sure my hunch is right," Jimmy said as some of the cool, nightly wind blew into our hair.

"I hope your right," I said and then turned my back on the direction he pointed out and started for the far side of the roof.

"Hey! You're going the wrong way!" Jimmy so rightfully pointed out as I ignored him. "What are you – Hu?" He stopped when I quickly turned around and bent my knees slightly. He felt my muscles tense as I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Wait! You're not gonna… AH!"

His head whipped backwards as he felt her move with incredible speed. She was running! Her boots quickly pounding the stone roof as wind rushed passed them. Making sure her hair sticks wouldn't impale into his face, he held onto her for dear life as gravity suddenly left him. He couldn't even shout as her boots touched the last of the roof and her legs bent and quickly sprang forward, making him realize she had just jumped off of the hotel roof. She JUMPED off of the hotel roof!

Looking in front of them he noticed the next roof; which he knew to be a few streets separating from his usual residence, was quickly coming into view. The tip of her left boot touched the structure without so much as a trip. But she didn't stop there! She continued her sprint to the other side of this roof and jumped from that edge to another one!

OH MY GOD! THIS IS AMAZING! Jimmy thought wildly as the adrenalin from this sensation began to pound through his little body. It's like she's part gazelle! This is – she is faster and jumping farther than any Olympian has ever achieved!

"Pretty cool, hu?" C spoke to him with a smile which almost woke him from his trance over the whole thing. It was like they were flying, and C was doing a good job at keeping up the pace.

"Ya," Jimmy breathed out as the wind continued to whip by them while C continued to run and jump from roof top to roof top. And then he realized something. He was envious of her power. She could climb, run and jump twenty times the normal human could do! She could escape from the world below at any time and become freedom itself.

"Don't get too overwhelmed!" I chuckled at his bewilderment. I knew I would be scaring the daylights out of him once we took off, but now he seemed mesmerized at my abilities. And this is coming from a kid who was a pure skeptic to the supernatural! "I need you to stay focused once we reach the Port."

"I – I will!" He sputtered out. Ya, that sounded convincing.


I ran for what seemed forever, but I was enjoying the night that Japan's most populated area offered. Despite the common smells of pollution, it reminded me a lot of New York. The tall buildings in view, how the lights decorated around us like jewels, and the nightly people would walk and drive around on the streets below. It was all too familiar and I felt right at home; so long as I avoid any of those eyes from looking up at us.

As little Jimmy was enjoying the ride of his life, I looked on ahead and spotted a glittering sheet before many box like buildings and ships ahead. One of Japan's many ports; the Port of Kawasaki. Tokyo Bay was glittering with the artificial lighting of the Port as the surrounding land looked like it came from a LEGO board. Each side of the divided docks had a road-like system for ships to pull and park into as a few main building; topped with a searchlight, overlooked the area. Security buildings. Great.

Kneeling down, so as to not get spotted, I kept Jimmy on my back as I slowly climbed down the building. His bright blue eyes looked left and right; in case someone would come, as my boots finally touched pavement.

"I bet one of those security buildings might hold information," Jimmy whispered into my ear.

"Maybe, but I was hoping to check out one of those depose over there," My gaze turned to the row of white and gray metal buildings used for storing things until their 'date to ship out' was up.

"That will take all night!" Jimmy hissed and then breathed out a sigh to calm himself, for it was obvious that this venture was getting to him. "The security buildings will, more than likely, have papers and such to tell us what's in those things."

"Not everything is written on paper anymore," I pointed out coolly.

"True. So? What do you want to do?" Jimmy finally asked the age old question.

Taking in the sight for a moment, I finally caved in and let the little man's choice come first. "Fine! We'll scope out the security building first!" I spat out with a throaty growl. He's really starting to get on my nerves. I wonder how Rachel ever deals with him! Keeping a firm grip on his legs, I darted from one side of a building to another; making sure that none of the local security officer's flash their light in our direction.

Jimmy had to admit; C was very good at keeping her stealth. Not once had a nightly guard looked up or even noticed them sneaking by. Though he had to brace himself against her back whenever she had to use her jumping skills to hop over a fence and on top another building. And her speed! It was pure luck his glasses stayed on his head! If someone told him that he would be doing this tonight a few days ago, he'd call them crazy! When her boots touched ground again, he was impressed at her control of her landing made less sound; because those are some heavy boots she styled!

The windows are all locked inside.

I have a lock pick we can use for the door! When she smirked at him, he wrinkled his nose in protest. It's not what you think! I use it just in case it's an emergency!

Good a time as any to use it now, eh?

Jimmy rolled his eyes and pulled out his watch, from under it he pulled out its hidden compartment that held his lock pick. Stretching his arm over her shoulder he handed it to C's awaiting, finger less-gloved hand. Her black nail polish shined some in the overhead light as she made quick work of the lock as he kept watch for any guards. Once the lock was open, C' silently opened the door and they snuck into the building. Though C could see perfectly as she set him down, Jimmy switched the watch on his wrist for 'spy light.'

"Keep that away from the windows," I whispered into his ear before heading to the desk. Jimmy huffed, but kept quiet. As if he would do something that stupid to give away their position, but he followed her when she began rummaging around. He kept his eyes and his feet trained on not bumping into any wooden desks or metal filing cabinets.

When C pulled out a clip board filled with paper, Jimmy climbed on the chair to get a better peak. Each sheet held names with a dotted line connecting with dates and destinations.

"Records of departures and deliveries," I said calmly.

"Ya, and these numbers represent the depose that are on the docks," Jimmy pointed out the numbers next to the names. Thought they were in Japanese it was pretty easy for me to tell what lead to wear.

"The names here must be the ships that take the boxes." Though it wasn't a question, Jimmy nodded anyway. "What are these red dots?" I asked and pointed out to the red marks near most names of the ships.

"Important interest to the Port, I guess," Jimmy thought out loud in a whisper and I hummed in my own thought process. When he noticed my interest, he called it out, "Wanna go check one of the depose that's embarked to go on a ship with a red mark?"

"If you don't mind?" I smiled and he sighed, but at least he's agreeing.

Sneaking in is one thing. Sneaking out to go to another place was another. Though our luck has been fortunate so far as I placed the lock back on the door, we were still considered to be in a red zone. Picking Jimmy up and placing on my back again, I dodged and zoomed through the complicated maze that was Port of Kawasaki. Despite it being a well-known Port, there were hardly any guards, and it made me nervous. Apparently, I wasn't the only one to notice the empty Port.

"I don't like this," Jimmy spoke in his light and hush-hush tone.

"What's not to like?" I asked quietly, trying to keep it cool.

"There should be more guards at this hour," He gritted his teeth. His nerves had been shot since she had first taken off on their investigation, but something didn't feel quite right. Like many other Ports, Kawasaki shipped and delivered many expensive things. Some ranging into the hundred thousand in modern currencies. Why there weren't more guards around was baffling! Let alone what they were doing; this whole thing just wasn't settling well with him at all.

"We'll worry about that later," I said as we made it to one of the metal box's that resembled the size of a single hotel room. Grabbing the chain that held the door together, I broke it with the power in my two hands.

"C!" Jimmy hissed at me but I ignored him as I carefully set the chain's remains next to the depo.

"Hush," I said as I bent my knees to open the metal door, for it was one of those kinds that slid up and into the ceiling. Though it was usually loud, I managed to lift it all the way without too much noise. Though Jimmy had his little flashlight on his watch, I didn't miss a thing as my eyes scanned each wooden crate inside. Some held the traditional Japanese writing and stamps for shipping, while others resembled well-made duffle bags. As Jimmy read each label, I decided to approach the head on. With my vampiric strength I easily ripped the nails in the wood and looked inside one crate. For a moment, I just stared, not sure I was really expecting to see what was inside, but it did throw me in a stupor for a moment.

"What did you find?" Jimmy approached me, though he couldn't really see from my waist so he had to climb on top of a smaller crate for his light to pear inside. What he saw made his jaw drop to the floor. Weapons. Military grade, from the look of them. And a bag of cherry grenades alongside them. C moved to open another crate and he watched as she pulled out a BM 62 shotgun. That was a BIG gun in his eyes. When she turned to face him, even he knew she wasn't expecting this.

"Either this is coincidence, or we just hit the Mother Lode of Crimes," I said and took a breath to calm my nerves. Holy Hell! What we just found could earn this Port a heap of trouble!

"But! How does this relate to the kidnappings?" Jimmy asked, yet still rattled about their find.

"To keep the President and the Police occupied," I stated in a matter-of-fact tone and Jimmy's eyes widened in realization, "from all this. Whoever is behind this sure didn't want this place to be found out as an illegal storage for weapons."

"They – they could just be trading these to the Military around the world," Jimmy insisted on making a counter-explanation.

"With weapons like these?" I pointed out sternly and showed him the BM again before tossing it back in its crate. "I highly doubt it. Weapons are normally transported through Military Bases; not some random Port in Japan! This is a problem!"

"No kidding!" Jimmy breathed as he realized the severity of their situation. Here they are, trying to find evidence and links to the kidnappings and they stumble in on this!

"If only I had a camera," I muttered to myself, but the little man heard me.

"My bow is part camera," He stepped forward, "The Doc modified it for me a while ago."

"Doc?" I arched a brow at him as he stretched his bow from his neck and I heard little gears turn on inside that thing.

"An inventor and a good friend of mine," He said as he placed the bow in front of his left eye. There was a low click but no flash. "I'll have him develop the pictures once I see him again."

"What are you? A Double O' Seven Agent?" I grinned yet remained inwardly surprised. Is there anything else this kid has up his sleeves?

"Just someone who likes to be prepared," Jimmy replied coolly as he moved to the next case I had opened. I even opened one of the duffle bags and discovered C4. Oh boy! Whoever runs this Port isn't playing nice!

"Aren't we all," I sighed and put the lids back on with a firm click of the wood. I didn't want someone to become suspicious of our prying eyes. "Got everything?" I asked and he nodded. "If this doesn't convince the Inspector of how dangerous these people are, then I don't know what will."

"We should get out of here now," Jimmy said as he adjusted his red bowtie under his collar. "We have enough evidence to help the others investigate this area and perhaps other Ports."

"And hopefully find the missing kids," I added and he nodded in agreement. Finally. Some progress. As we walked back into the cool night air I reached up to grab the sliding door, but the kid looked fearful. Scratch that; I can smell the fear coming right off of him! "Will you relax!" I snapped at him as his eyes wouldn't stop scanning the area. "The farthest heartbeat is only a few cargo holds away. Just stick close to me and you'll be fi – GAH!"

Jimmy froze as C's glow-ish, hazel, eyes widened in shock as she had frozen on the spot for a few seconds until she began to tremble; like she was in pain. Soon, he found out why. Blood! Her blood! She was bleeding right out of the left side of her chest as a recent hole in her shirt told him that she had been shot! And the bullet had gone right through her body, while possibly penetrating her left lung!

He was so shocked by witnessing the sudden violence he just stood there as she released the door and fell to her knees, while coughing out blood. When the shock passed him, he began to panic. OH MY GOD! She's been shot by some silenced gun! "C!" Jimmy steadied her by the shoulders as he tried to find the culprit over her shoulder. It only took him a second when he spotted someone lying in the dark on top of a nearby security building. It was only several storage units away, but the guy was clearly using a sniper with a scope! The next thing he knew was C pouncing on him and pushing them farther into the depo they had investigated not moments ago.

"What are you –!?" He didn't get to finish as she had grabbed his jaw to keep his mouth closed.

"Quiet!" I hissed into his ear. Though it felt like a fire had exploded near my heart, I'll live. Son of a bitch! Just who was the soon-to-be-dead idiot that had the balls to shot me!? But I had to put a stopper on my temper as I realized something. If I was shot by the only heartbeat within blocks of this place, that only meant one thing; we've been followed! Frankly though, Jimmy hadn't figured that out as he was still freaking over my injury.

C! You're hurt! We need to get you some help! NOW! His mental voice nearly screamed into my head, and I had to bite back a growl.

Just SHUT UP and STAY HERE! I mentally shouted back. Though his eyes kept glancing down at the hole in my black shirt, his brows scrunched in confusion as he noticed less blood spilling out. You're forgetting I AM half vampire. I heal quickly.

But! Then-! Who-? His question was answered when a deep, masculine voice broke the silence.

"Come on out! Dampire!" We both froze as the tension in the air just thickened. He knows what I am! "I know it's you!" He continued to taunt me. "You have a bad habit of sticking your undead nose into other people's business!"

"Stay here!" I hissed at Jimmy as I stood back on my feet and turned to walk out into the open again.

"Wait! You can't!" He protested but I shot him a warning look as my eyes glowed red. It shut him up and I turned to walk back outside.

Knowing the boy will be safe and out of sight, I passed the metal threshold of the storage unit to face my opponent. He stood just a few yards from me, holding a customized sniper rifle with a precision scope. He was tall, fairly tan skinned, and held a late thirty-ish face with a prickly shadow of facial hair. He had a scar over his right eye as he dressed like some cowboy, even a dark brown cowboy hat to match. His accent was almost Southern America mixed with a bit of Italian. Definitely NOT a Japanese local.

"Finally," He grinned at me and I spotted a tooth missing from his upper jaw while his dark brown eyes glared at me. "The Dampire C. It's a privilege to meet your acquaintance." He did a small bow and removed his hat, so his shaggy brown hair could be seen; along with a small bald spot.

"I'm sure," I spat rather coolly, "But I'm not too fond of someone shooting me right before the formalities."

"He he. Bad habit I'm afraid," He just smirked as my eyes burned in rage, but I stayed calm. "You see I've been looking forward to this moment ever since you stepped foot on this land," He began to ramble, "To know that a prize, like you, would choose to get involved with these people is uncommon. How could I pass this up?"

"Is this why there are hardly any security guards out tonight?" I pointedly asked as he looked smug. "You sent them away to try and trap and face me here alone tonight?"

"Ya gots a sharp mind, Dampire," He grinned those yellowing teeth at me, "Though I do have orders too, you know."

Orders!? Jimmy thought in horror as he watched from behind one of the wooden crates, for this was just too important to ignore.

"From the people that started this mess, I'm sure," I replied dryly and the man only chuckled my way.

"You're a perceptive one alright! It's no wonder they've been having trouble getting rid of you!" He said as his humor over the whole thing stayed on his slightly wrinkled face.

"You're also a Hunter too," I said and he raised an eyebrow at me. Jimmy doing the same from inside the depo. "I see the tattoo of the Vatican Special Holy Knight symbol on your chest."

Hunter? Holy Knight? Just what the Hell is going on here!? Jimmy thought in a daze as the two foes continued to talk.

"Well I was," He sniffed at me as he pulled he yanked at his shirt to cover most of the two, crossed keys like it was itching him, but I also didn't miss the slight red mark that went on an angle right through it; like he had taken a knife and purposely cut himself to damage the symbol. "But I grew out of the Order. Their all full of themselves and with no imagination what so ever. I got bored and decided to take my business elsewhere. Who knew that our paths would cross and meet us here? Sounds a lot like Fate, doesn't it?"

"There is no such thing as Fate," I growled out and his brows shot up in slight surprise. "Only prophets and idiots believe in that crap. It is our choices that bring us to the here and now."

"A wise outlook on life, I'll admit," His snarky compliment didn't bother me in the least, "Especially for a woman that wears nothing but black."

"I wouldn't go insulting ones looks if I were you," I huffed coolly, "You've probably broken a mirror or two with that ugly mug of yours."

He just threw his head back and laughed, yet I watched as his hands maneuvered the riffle to his front and moved the barrel to point at me. "How true you are!" He shook of the rest of his amusement with a cough to clear his throat. "But! It wasn't my mug that got me this job."

With that he fired on me and I easily moved my head to dodge it. "You're a quick one," He observed with a sneer, for he seemed to be the kind that takes pride in his aim. "But your kind has always been known to be quick."

"Speed isn't the only thing I'm good at," I gritted my teeth as my fangs grew. Time to kick some ass! Though I was still unhappy without my own guns, I could make quick work of this guy. Charging forward I grabbed the sniper gun and pulled it up and above our heads; just as he was about to fire again. The bullet went off, harmlessly, into the night of the Port as I kicked the Ex-Hunter in the chest and sent him sailing backwards into the metal frame of another depo.

If I put enough force into it, my kicks can do some serious damage, even cause death. But, since I needed him alive for more information, all I could do was knock him out. Yet he wasn't. I was impressed at his stamina for staying conscious through that violent episode. Though he faltered and wobbled a bit on his feet, he still had a good grip on his gun. Hell! Not even his hat fell off as those dark eyes of his narrowed at me.

"I was told you were a hard one to deal with!" He spat and straitened his spin out with a few loud pops. "Too bad Van Helsing didn't have the balls to finish you off!"

Van Helsing!? Jimmy continued to stare bewildered at the scene before him, his jaw almost touching the floor. When she kicked him and he went flying a good several yards, he thought he was seeing a real live action movie!

"Or – he just wasn't in the mood," I clarified with a smug smirk of my own. "The man has a good heart."

"Exactly!" The Ex-Hunter pointed out rather miffly and pulled out a small, black, bag from his pocket. "The weak hearted always falters over time. That old fart hasn't got a spin to be a real Hunter anymore! And that Holy Order in Rome! Pah! What a bunch of cocks! Prayers and good deeds don't keep me cloths nor feed my belly under a decent roof!"

"So that's why you've joined these people. I should have known," I sniffed at him as I shifted my feet to a defensive stance. I wasn't sure what was in that bag, but I bet it wasn't good. "Money. You should know that greedy bastards like you will always meet their just disserts in the end."

"Maybe. But hey, I like to try my odds," His dark eyes hardened as he squeezed the bag a bit, "How are yours?"

Having my fill of hearing this idiot, I went straight on to charge and tackle him again, but this time he does something that takes me by surprise! He throws the bag on the ground just as I was a few feet in front of him and it exploded into a thick black smoke. But! Not just smoke! It burns my eyes! The taste of it on my tongue made me gag as my skin tingled uncomfortably from being touched everywhere. Then I realized something! This smoke wasn't just smoke. It held blessed and silver shavings in its explosive powder!

"Like the new invention?" The greasy man taunted as I covered my mouth and tried to rub my eyes free from the smoke, but that only made the burning worse. "Since you undead freaks get a rash when it comes to blessed stuff like silver, I figured powdering it down and putting that into a smoke bomb would do just as well. Even if you are half; you still bear some of its weaknesses!"

A harsh punch to my left check sent me backwards a bit as I tried to get my bearings again! Damn it to Hell! Though I would have been better off at closing my eyes before his bomb went off; this mistake was on me! Another punch to my face and the butt end of his gun to my stomach sent me flying backwards. I didn't know where I was going but it felt familiar as my back hit something wooden and I heard a small heart beating wildly from behind me. The sound of the gun being reloaded made me froze in my seat as I'm willing to bet that bastard was pointing his weapon right at my head.

"Too bad this dance didn't last longer," He sighed as his feet shifted closer to me. "I was hoping you'd be a better sport. Oh well. Half. Full. You're all the same. Just a bunch of suckers that got in on the wrong place and the wrong time. See you in Hell, sweetheart."

"NO!" Jimmy jumped out of his hiding place and quickly cranked up his special shoes to max. Though his shout made the stranger jump in alarm for a second that gave Jimmy enough time to help C. Spotting a sizable box of ammo (that had fallen after C's back hit the crate) he aimed and kicked. The power in his shoes never seemed to get old; not to mention the surprised look on his targets face that lasted for a whole three seconds before the box hit him square in the face and he fell backwards in a heap on the ground, groaning in pain.

"C!" Jimmy ran over to the Dampire once the threatening man was down. Her eyes were closed and squeezed shut in pain as some shiny specks of metal decorated some of her skin. Realizing that it was the silver that the man had talked about, he pulled out his handkerchief and began quickly dusting C free of the stuff. Though he knew it probably wouldn't affect her, he wasn't taking any chances. "Are you okay!?" He asked as he moved the cloth to wipe her eyes. Her hand covers his smaller one for a sec and he watched as her shiny, hazel eyes slowly began to reveal themselves.

"You – you idiot!" She coughed out, though he half expected to hear that from her, "You should have stayed hidden!"

"I couldn't let that guy shot your head off!" He said rather angrily. He just saved her from a bullet to the brain and she calls him an idiot!? So much for gratitude! But he froze when he heard movement from behind him and C grabbed his arm, trying to drag him out of the way.

No way! Jimmy thought as the guy used his riffle to stand and steady himself on the ground, cursing as he did so. He should have been out a lot longer than that!

Hunters have A LOT tougher hid than most humans. C explained to him mentally. Why do you think they're so good at their job? Hunting monsters isn't exactly a slice of cake now is it? It takes years of training to gain the strength they have. Years of pushing pass pain on ANY level. Hell. They even learned to love pain. Makes you wonder what else people do in those religious societies that 'say' they hunt monsters on Earth.

Jimmy swallowed as the man's dark eyes glared rather angrily at him and then he turned his gaze to C. Just great! Little Jimmy had just pissed off an Ex-Hunter of a highly trained, and one of many very old groups that still exist! Oh shit!

No kidding! Now just keep quiet and let me handle him!

"Why you – manipulative – EVIL – BITCH!" He spat at me as the box of ammo that Jimmy had kicked at him, left a nice red mark across his wrinkled face. "You brought a child to this place!? And – and now your using him to –!"

"He's none of your concern!" I interrupted and brought my feet under my butt and bent my knees. My eyes glowed red as my claws sharpened. On no! He's definitely not living pass tonight! "I AM!" With that I pushed myself towards him in a speedy pounce. Though he managed to draw his gun on me and fired, he only got my shoulder before I was on him again.

Jimmy watched in a mix of fascination and horror. C was growling and tearing into the man like a wild animal, as the man himself fought and struck her with any openings he got. The two seemed to be evenly matched, until C stuck her hand into the man's shoulder blade. He gasped in pain as she held him in a death grip, his riffle falling to the ground, for the man had lost his nerve control to hold it as she continued to cause him pain. Blood dripped to the ground and scattered to several of the metal buildings like spilled paint. Even Jimmy felt some on his face, but he ignored it as he just stood there like a statue; confused at what to do next, but mostly in shock at the terrible power that this woman in black was reveling.

"Stupid ugly fuck!" I spat into his hear as his yellow teeth gritted in pain. "You should have stayed in Rome! Instead you let your greed get the better of you and now you're involved with someone who's holding those children hostage! I! Want! Names!" I growled as I continued to question him. "Who hired you!? Who's the shit heel that's behind this!? ANSWER ME!"

He just laughed as blood began to spill out of his mouth. "Trying to be – the rutty hero – are ya?" He hollered in pain as I squeezed the bone in his shoulder more, for it was already cracking under my fingers grip. "Like – even if I did say who pulls my strings? They – they wouldn't – UAGH!"

It was faint, but I heard a pop of air somewhere in the distance before a hole exploded into his chest; aiming right for his heart. "NO!" I looked up to find the shooter but they seemed to be too far for me to spot, not to mention my eyes were still recovering from that damn smoke!

"Don't you dare die on me yet!" I shouted as I pulled my hand free from his back shoulder and grabbed the front of his chest, for a part of his heart was literally destroyed and beating its last. "Tell me, damn it! TELL ME WHO HIRED YOU!?"

Those brown eyes began to fade, but his arrogant smile remained the same, yet he did manage to whisper something to me before they rolled in the back of his head. "R-Right."

His last breath left him as I set him on the ground and I stood over him for a while, unsure of what to do or think at this point. Jimmy walked over to me and placed a hand on my leg, grabbing my attention.

"What did he say?" He asked in a small voice.

My black lips thinned as I pressed them together, still shacking my head at all this. First the Senator of Japan almost gets shot right after his brother's grandchildren get kidnapped. Next, a simple maid was conned into this mess by trying to get rid of me by trying to save her own kid that was taken. And now this; an Ex-Hunter sent to follow me to finish the job, but obviously failed and though I tried to get information about who he worked for, all he said was; "Right."

Jimmy furrowed his brows in confusion as he looked from the dead Ex-Hunter and back to me. "Right? What does that mean?"

"I don't know," I said as I looked up to the sky and sighed and turned back to him. "But. This just got to a whole new level of worse."


BACK! I apologize again for the long update delays but I've been super busy again with family and work! Uagh! The drama is killing me! D : But! I'm hoping to be updating faster again this time and I promise I WILL NOT let this story hang and unfinished!

Thank you all for your support and REVIEWS! Though I know everyone is waiting for the third installment of the C Trilogy, I'm going to get this one done first and then I'll see to it about getting to my next story! Thank you all again and hope to be seeing you all soon!

Sincerest apologies to all; BR2