Author's Note: I hope you enjoy and I hope that nobody is too OOC for your liking. Hopefully you have much fun reading as I did writing it. Anywayz…enjoy my newest chapter. Now Read!!! GO SHOO!! Lol

Disclaimer: I asked D what he thought about me owning him and he shrank away from me a bit…nobody loves me : (

Chapter Six: Progression

I sensed a presence that seemed to have been there for a while, but it was faint and quite a ways off. I shrugged it off, believing it could have been anything. Perhaps a group of travelers, there only seemed to be two of them. The lingering tingle that came from them suddenly made me narrow my eyes. I stopped my gallop and turned back to the caravan trying to pick D out if he had not ridden off yet. "I know." he said simply as he was beside me again. "Stop showing off." I muttered. "Where?" he asked ignoring the remark. "I'd say in the general south east, but they are somehow shielding the majority of their prescence from me." I informed, pursing my lips thoughtfully. "I'll check it out." he declared. "Why? Am I incapable of handling two men myself?" I growled defensively. He stared at me silently. "You did it the last time." he said simply. "Normally anybody would say that it was my turn." he added. "The last time was an accident." I reminded haughtily. "We do not know enough about the subjects…they may not be human." he seemed to carry a hesitance under his impassive tone. I smirked. "Are you worried?" I teased. "I am just trying to carry out this mission to the best of my ability, you are a major trump card, and I have more skills." he stated. I narrowed me eyes. I could not argue with him, he did hand my arse back to me on a platter when we met. No matter. I could still tease him.

"Of course." I snickered. "I do believe you are taking a shining to me, dhampire." I let out a chuckle.

He did not answer, simply turned into their general direction. "Are they within your range of vision?" he inquired. All business as usual. I peered around the general direction but caught nothing. "Strangely….no." my eyes widened a bit. Their prescence was contradicting their visual location. He nodded. "These two are different." he stated. "Hmm." I stroked my chin. I leaned close to him. "They must be watching us." I whispered. He nodded. "It would be best to speak minimally until we can engage direct combat. If we have to." he whispered from under his hat. I nodded in agreement. I tuned in to all of my senses. "I can't hear anything." I told him in a hushed tone moving my lips minimally. "Shhh." he hushed softly. "We will do nothing unless they attack. Let them believe we don't notice…but don't stray from the caravan and don't let anybody else either." he ordered. I rolled my eyes. He had to cling to his Mr. Boss-man complex. "I will let Rico know." I whispered riding towards the wagon. Poor thing. I hated to wake him, he had just fallen asleep, it simply was not fair. Hopefully they would not attack and he could sleep.

The poor thing was dead to the world when I entered and I felt guilt creep into my gut. I knelt down beside him feeling a bit resentful towards the situation. "Psst." I nudged him gently. He nuzzled into a pillow with a mumble. "Rico." I whispered giving him another push. An unconscious smirk tugged at his lips and he chuckled mumbling something in a suggestive tone. I tried not to laugh. Who knew what the fool was dreaming about. "Rico." I said it a bit louder. His arm caught me off guard when it pulled me down and he nuzzled my shoulder. "Rico!!" I pinched him under the arm. "Ahh!" he shouted startled. I pushed myself up. He groggily looked up at me. A groan escaped his lips as he covered his face with the pillow. "You just interrupted a very beautiful dream." he complained. "I noticed." was my teasing reply. I smirked. "What is it?" he asked. "Actually I am here to inform you that there are dangerous, suspicious, presences watching us and I did not want you to be off of your guard." I warned. He nodded sleepily. Forcing himself up he yawned. "I have to tell Antoin." he said with a stretch. "I am going to report back to D." I said absently.

"Oooh I see." he smirked. I frowned. "It's okay. Private rendezvous? You can tell me." he teased. "Shut up." I hissed thoroughly embarrassed. "I already told you that we do not do that." I added angrily. I could feel my face heat up. He chuckled. "Go on then, get to 'reporting'." he grinned. I punched his arm lightly. "Ow!" he protested. "You were forewarned." I stated simply before sauntering off. I felt his eyes following my movements and growled over my shoulder causing him to abruptly look the other way. With a satisfied smirk I was gone. I re-mounted Duster gracefully and trotted calmly off. Some of the fox hounds that were staring abruptly looked in the other direction. I scoffed to myself. I surveyed the area for D. I found the dhampire riding slowly beside a few wagons. "Now what?" I asked. "We wait." he said simply without looking at me. I sighed. "Allura." he turned to face me with an unreadable expression. "Stay with the children." he said darkly. Was there something he wasn't telling me? I narrowed my eyes. "Fine." I raised a suspicious brow. "I have the feeling the men will need your help." He added as if sensing my distress.

With a nod I slowly turned looking at him oddly before heading for the wagons. "Hello gents." I smirked as I entered one of the wagons. They seemed to be startled but quickly recovered and hid their fear from me. I rolled my eyes to myself. "So..um…what exactly is going on?" one of them asked. He looked like the youngest and had a very soft spoken, shy, yet determined air about him. "We need not discuss that in front of tender ears." I refered to the children. "Just keep on your guard." I added. I was silent for a moment as I peeked out of the flap. "I was told to stay with the children." I murmured. "However I am having a feeling that I should check something out…" the feeling increased as I spoke. Something was wrong. I wandered outside looking around apprehensively. I sensed movement somewhere near by. My head snapped in the sound's general direction. My fingers crept to the hilt of my sword. "D…?" I inquired softly. No answer.

"There you are." a voice chuckled. I whipped around to see a tell medium built blonde man. He had piercing gold eyes that indicated he could not be human. I narrowed my eyes. "Hey cutie." he smirked. What the bloody hell was he supposed to be? No. Not a vampire. "So silent? Aww you didn't look very shy from the distance." he cooed. "What is your purpose here?" I demanded in a stern harsh tone. He whistled. "So hostile." he grinned. "Answer!" I demanded. "What's the rush? Why don't we have some fun first?" he inquired almost suggestively. "I would rather just kill you ." I promised. He laughed. "Alright then. I guess I'll have to take care of the kids later." he replied. He unsheathed a long katana. Amazingly long, well-made, and shiny. I briefly scrutinized the fine work, careful not to lose my focus. He seemed to notice. "You like? He-heh and that's just my sword gorgeous." he winked. I had the urge to laugh and roll my eyes but refrained. I was too intent on killing him. "What do you mean take care of the kids?" I unsheathed my own sword and got in a defensive stance. "That would be telling wouldn't it?" he grinned.

"Don't worry I'll get you to talk." I growled. "I like them aggressive." he approved. "Shut the trap, wretch. I'm uninterested in your dribble." I emphasized my stance with a stomp of my foot. "Alright then." he winked. He then lunged in my direction. Why did my opponents have to have such long range swords? I growled as I twirled swiftly, to avoid a swing. I would not use my gun until I had proven that I could beat him head to head. Instead of stopping his swing he spun around further, bringing his blade toward me once again. Thinking quick I moved back and blocked the attack on my person with my own sword. Good thing it was such a strong blade or I might have been finished. The blow had been so powerful that I had fallen on one knee. He pushed down roughly with a manic smile that would chill the souls of any mere mortals. In response I swung my leg to trip him. He stumbled giving me an opportunity to kick him in the gut and away from me. The unknown fighter fell back with a grunt. I flew at him with all the grace of a vampiress in the zone of battle. Sword drawn and eyes flashing. He barely managed to bring up his katana and block me. "Fun is over." he growled. He thrust his leg at my face powerfully, I barely dodged and he hit the ground with his foot effectively shattering the earth. I stared momentarily. Wow.

"Like my work?" he smirked with more malice in his eyes. "What are you?" I demanded. "That would be telling also wouldn't it?" he smirked. I narrowed my eyes as he charged again. I leapt over him and kicked him full force in the back of the head. I heard the crack of the sickening impact as he fell forward and smashed his head on a tree stump. He stood up awkwardly and his head repaired itself. I stared in morbid fascination, and disgust. This time though he revealed a set of razor sharp jaws. "Now you've done it." he narrowed his eyes at me harshly. He leapt at me, his face distorting grotesquely. A blur of gold and now white, black and purple. I couldn't make anything out he was so fast. I barely managed to save myself from his jaws clamping down on my neck with my sword in his mouth. Now I could see him. He looked dog-like..lycan? No, he smelled too off. I struggled violently as he wildly chomped on my blade trying to break it and get at me. Ugly inhuman snarls escaped him. I grunted in pain as he dug his nails into my hips. I soon felt just how much he was enjoying this in the form of something against my thigh. I hissed angrily swinging my blade with all my might, effectively slicing through his jaw and cheeks. He howled in agony and I kicked him a good distance away. Where was D? He should have been here by now.

"You bitch!" he growled animalistically. It was my turn to smirk. "I get that a lot." I shrugged. He grunted. Wiping his face he began to smile again. "I guess I'll have to kick it up a knotch. Tell you what, if I win you come work with me and my partner. If you win you can kill me…or take advantage of me.." he winked. "One of the two." I had to roll my eyes once again. "I think I've already made a decision." I drawled. My mind was working. He had a partner? Hmm. That made sense, it would explain what had D so occupied as to not come to my aid right away. No matter, I could take him. "Have it your way." he leapt at me again. We moved about as I continued to block him persistently from reaching the wagons. "Damn you're so hot." he commented, in admiration of my feline-like agility. "What do you want with the kids?" I demanded. "We'll worry about that later." he managed to pin me down on the floor again. "Come on just one kiss." he leaned down. I was frustrated. "I've had enough!!" I arched my back angrily avoiding his searching lips with one hand pushing his face away. I snatched out my revolver and blew a hole in his abdomen. "Does that get my disinterest through your head!!??" I hissed shrilly leaping to my feet as he staggered back holding his gut. "Silver?" he wheezed and blood oozed from his mouth. I nodded.

He was thinking. "This complicates things a bit but no biggie." he commented. He leapt at me again. I jumped back to avoid a swing of his katana. I shot a few rounds at him angrily. He avoided a few bullets growling when one grazed his cheek. "So I'm guessing you only have eyes for tall dark and dhampire." he sneered. "Filthy halflings aren't worth it, but I suppose if you have some sort of inferiority complex it can't be helped." he mocked. "Boldy spoken for a man with no species." I countered. "Touche." he shrugged carelessly. "Enough talking, you're boring me." I yawned. We fought visciously. I heard a little shreik and I turned to the wagons in a panic. In that moment of distraction I felt the searing pain of being ran through and tossed aside.

I pulled myself onto my knees gaping from the pain as blood came from my mouth. I saw him charging for a wagon's entrance. I aimed my revolver but before I could react a loud BOOM sounded as he was blown ten feet back by a huge explosion. My eyes popped. In an instant the youngest of the mercenaries appeared from the wagon wielding a huge sniper cannon. A feral expression on his face dropped and he gave me a shy smile and a nod. My opponent staggered back looking awfully grotesque. "So what's this? You're puppy?" he snarled looking at him. The boy aimed again with narrowed eyes. "Maintain you're distance sir!!" he shouted in a formal well-trained voice. He threw his head back and laughed. "Hit me with your best shot kiddo! You can't afford not to!" he charged again. The kid aimed well but he leapt over the missile with breath-taking agility. I had to help him. I withdrew the katana ignoring the blinding pain. I looked up and glared as he had the brave boy up in the air by the throat. His feet valiantly kicking away the snapping jaws as best he could. I growled low and hard in my throat and forced myself forward. My legs mustered up as much speed as only one of my kind could. My eyes flashed red.

With an unearthly snarl I dug my claws into his back. He froze and the boy stared at me and at him. I crushed my silent goal in a merciless fist, twisting my arm earning a choking gasp of pain. The kid was dropped to the ground and scrambled to maintain his distance. I hissed as I wrenched my arm back. With it came the scum-bag's bleeding heart. I barely paid any heed to the horrified mercenary on the ground. I was breathing hard with a sick glee on my face, fangs glinting. He fell to the floor with a look of shock. "F-Frankie…" he wheezed. Frankie eh? "Your partner is most likely a greasy little smear on the gravel by now if D has anything to do with it." I said coldly. A single tear dropped from his eyes. "Who do you work for?" I demanded. "Why…*swallow*… would I tell you? I've nothing to live for…just kill me." he croaked. "You certainly aren't any real fun." I purred. "I want a hint, and I will kill you then." I promised. He stared at me lips trembling and coated with his own blood. "I-in the mind of the mastermind…there is always a bigger purpose to his moves than is allowed to be perceived…" he trailed. "Re…member that bitch and watch your back." he smirked before finally going motionless.

I stared for a moment. His words sunk in. What kind of hint was that? What did it mean? "Miss?" the young man softly called to me, cautious not to get too close to a feral vampiress. I turned to him. My eyes were clearing up. "Where is D?" I asked tonelessly. "Is everyone alright, Allura?" D appeared at the right moment. He was calm and stoic as usual, not a hair on his head disheveled. I snorted dismissively, giving up on discovering why he was like this. "Yes." I answered ignoring my animalistic instincts. Seeing him standing there holding his opponents head and tossing it aside so serenely gave off an image of such power. I purred like a cat momentarily before brushing it off.

As a vampiress my natural instinct was to seek out power and strength, the proper protection from a male counterpart. Even though he was low on the scale due to his halfling status he was up to excellent par when it came to fighting and killing. Very ideal. It was purely instinct. I paid it no mind. If I were still a young yearling I would be unable to resist the urge to crawl all over him like a cat in heat. "I'm assuming he was not much of a problem?" I inquired looking at the severed souvenir on the ground. He had pure white hair and his once handsome expression was replaced with that of an angry contorted grimace, caked in blood. "He was tough." he corrected simply. Meanwhile the youthful mercenary had slunk off quietly back to rejoin his comrades.

"Did you gain any important information?" I curiously asked. "I was unable." he admitted. "It was a kill or be killed moment." he added in explanation. I nodded. "You?" he interrogated. "He gave me a hint…" I trailed. "What kind of hint?" he pressed. "A slightly cryptic one but it went something like this.. 'Behind the acts of every mastermind there is always a bigger purpose than is allowed to be perceived." I told him. "That could mean many things." I added with a shrug. "True…but it most likely means that perhaps we are dealing with more than an international slave trade..." he deducted. "Something bigger." I nodded in understanding. He nodded back. "Slave trades are a means of making big money, and gaining power, and gaining people for your purposes." I stated the obvious. "At least one of those things or maybe all of them are providing a bigger opportunity for someone than we can think of off hand." I added thoughtfully. "Whoever is behind this has very tough high-class goons working under him." D replied. "But why would he send them after us and not other people who have captured his caravans and returned slaves home? Surely we are not the only ones." I pondered. "True, perhaps this particular caravan was special somehow." he proposed. "I don't see how…." I thought to myself.

"Has anybody else ever tried to get to the seed of the problem? He could possibly feel threatened that the almighty dhampire hunter is on his tail." I noted. "Maybe nobody has ever actually tried to stop this at the root and he wants to quell the idea for everybody who has considered it." I reasoned. "You have a point. If we found him it would be probable that we will discover his 'alterior motive' and he doesn't want that." he murmured softly. I nodded. "In that case…" he trailed off and looked at me. My eyes sparked with excitement. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I grinned madly. "It's very probable." he nodded. "We've got some traders to bust then don't we?" I bit my bottom lip eagerly. "Yes Allura..that is if you're willing to work with me a bit longer." he stated.

I briefly wondered if he was trying to be funny but quickly forgot about it at the prospect of action. "I am much more than willing 'Sir' I can assure you." I gave a dark manic expression. "We will have to run it by the 'Hounds'." he said. "This may mean extra danger." he added warningly. "If they are chicken they are not up to par with their reputation." I chuckled. "There's no shame in being cautious." D stated in his usual even voice. "Heh." I smirked. "When do we start?" I inquired, swaying my hips coyly as I walked past him. I loved to be a flirt, especially when D put up such a prudish front. Closet pervert. I just knew it. He walked beside me in an elegant serious manner.

"We will be reaching another town tomorrow right?" he inquired. I looked at him. "You're right. More drop-offs." I confirmed. He nodded in approval. "We will start there..did your late master tell you anything about his dealings with these people?" he asked me. "No, and please don't call him my master." I grunted flatly. He understood silently and nodded. "So then we start tomorrow mon capitan?" I lightened my tone to a mischievous one. "We begin to seriously look for leads tomorrow." he confirmed. I nodded calmly with a smile before walking away from him, but when I was sure he wasn't looking I quietly squealed delightedly and bounced on the balls of my feet childishly, excited at the prospect of some big action coming my way.

Skipping more needless details. I found myself dropping of more children and getting more ammo for my revolvers. "Do you think anybody here might know something?" I groaned out of boredom. "It would be convenient if they did, but to assume so might be a bit of a random stretch." D strode alongside me. I shook my head. This was getting us nowhere. "Getting these children home is taking up precious time, we can't expect to find good leads like this..in places that have absolutely no real connection to the trade." I huffed folding my arms. "Don't be so impatient." D frowned down at me. "Slave trades send out scouts to these villages to seek out the ones with healthy, ideal, and sufficient amounts of candidates for a proper meal…and other things." he narrowed his eyes in disgust. "The next town is about an hour away, and we're making good time." I changed the subject. "We havent had any other incidents…and that makes me wonder… what's coming next?" he said distantly deep in thought. "Hopefully nothing." I said darkly. "As much as I love a good fight..there are people here who wouldn't stand a chance against something bigger and I can't stand to be responsible for the…less adequate." I made a sour expression.

He gave me a look briefly but said nothing. "They are international." he said. "So people who have done business with them or the like should be easy to come in contact with."he was pondering to himself. I smirked. "All we have to do is ask for the names of well-known slavers and they are bound to know something, though be reluctant to see us." I chuckled. "Reluctant yes. They will avoid us at all costs. They would not want to lose such a powerful ally or provoke their wrath." he stroked his smooth chin. "So we would have to surprise them." I giggled deviously. "I like this." I added. "Don't get too excited. To get to the head of an international trading route of any kind will be a long and tedious job. You are not the most patient woman I've met." he told me. My face dropped. "I can wait." I pouted. "And interrogation may take a while. There will also be research, investigation, and undercover work." he warned. "Undercover?" my eyes lit up giddily. He rolled his eyes. "I don't think I should have told you that for some reason."

"I am a wonderful actress, and I have particular skill in creating alias's." I stated proudly. "Good to know." he trudged boredly. "We can try first at a town named 'Durfrey'." he told me. "It is not exactly the safest place for civilians to go." he said calmly. "But I wouldn't count on classifying us as civilians." he looked at me wryly. "Is that a joke?" I grinned mischievously. His face dropped and he looked ahead again. I giggled. "That was a joke D!" I cheered excitedly. "We have to make a toast, your first joke! Yes!" I dragged him to a nearby bar. "I don't want to drink." he blunted pulling his arm away. "Tsk." I pouted. "Anyway these slave traders are a discreet bunch." he sat idly on a stool. "If we come across as threatening variables they wont reveal themselves to us…so we will have to get resourceful." he pondered. "So…when we go we will have to be undercover?" I more stated than asked. "Precisely." he nodded. I smirked. "Done deal." We were silent for a moment. "So are you sure you wont make a toast with me?" I teased sitting on the counter beside his stool flirtatiously. He frowned. "Get down from there." he told me looking around. "Oh nobody cares." I idly swung my blessed bullets around in their case. People were looking at us, but recognized us as the saviors of their younguns. Others smiled knowingly…like old married couples for instance. "I'd rather not." he finally answered. "and neither should you for that matter." he added as an after thought. "Yes Daddy." I grinned. I hadn't meant to imply anything by that but our poor closet pervert just had to catch an innuendo from it. I could have sworn he flushed slightly before he stood up. "Let's just go." he motioned for me to follow. I stared at him. What a pervert! I laughed silently to myself.

Hopping off the counter I followed after him. "I'm assuming we go to Durfrey after the drop-offs, no?" I asked. "That would be ideal." he agreed. "It would be unwise to put the remaining children in any unnecessary danger, and if the fox hounds want to join us they'll have to come with us only so far, and they better not expect us to pay them." he spoke silently. "Indeed." I sighed. I was slightly put off by the idea that Rico might not be joining us. He was great company. Women were staring at D again. I laughed and looked away. "Is something funny?" he asked boredly. I shook my head no. Was this going to happen where ever I went with this bloke? "What is it about you D?" I shook my head at him. "Do you just spout off some sort of pheromone that screams 'Here I am! Hey! Look at me! I am mister Sexy! Aren't I gorgeous? Yes you know I am. Love me! Fall at my feet!,'? Is that it?" I inquired mockingly, imitating a cool and collected strut. "Stop doing that." he responded simply. I laughed. "You seem to have a rather large fan base D." I reached over pinching his cheek. He brushed me off a bit rudely. With a chuckle I began to skip ahead of him. It was not so bad, working with D after all.

Author's Note: So…whatcha think? Getting exciting? Still boring. I needs me some feedback. Don't be shy. Read and Review lol.

Shout Outs:

sunkissedvampire: LOL I thought it was funny too. Even though the file was changed from her original "AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" to the exclamation points all alone. I'm too lazy to change it though *pouts*

Tsuki no Rekuen: Tis all good! Lol Poor lefty. I still miss Pip!! *tears* Anyway it's gonna be difficult coming up with fluff between the two of them ugh. But I shall endeavor to do my best!! Lol