Brother? That handsome man was Rido's brother? Wow, talk about sibling rivalry. Rido was good looking, but she'd pick the newcomer over Rido any day of the week. Of course if the newcomer was Haruka Kuran he'd be off limits anyway. But still. He seemed a lot nicer than Rido. And of course it helped he was standing up for her father.

"Again, I ask" Rido stated bluntly "What are you doing here, Little Brother?"

"I'm here," Haruka replied "Because I heard you were to take a bride. And that she was younger than you. I knew what you would do to someone like her. And I would not stand by and let that happen"

"Oh? And how do you intend to stop me, Haruka? You couldn't even stop me when I first took Juri's blood. And though this girl isn't as good as Juri, she's quite tasty herself" Rido sneered tauntingly.

Akihiko clenched his jaw, but Haruka rested a hand on his shoulder, giving him a sympathetic look. Haruka raised his voice, turning his attention towards his brother "Perhaps I won't be the one to stop you. As long as I can free your 'bride' from her cage. Though you treat her more like an animal" He looked past his brother, spotting the girl clutching at the bars of her prison.

"She is my bride, not yours, Haruka. I suggest you go home before I decide to take Juri's blood instead"

It was Haruka's turn to set his jaw, but his face remained calm. Clearly he was used to Rido being overly dramatic. Mayumi was dying for a better view, and she was freezing. And, she almost swore she was getting paler from the cold. That can't be good.

Something landed on the roof above her. She would have brushed it off as something from the storm, but it kept coming. It was like. . footsteps. But which side was the person in the shoes loyal to? She crossed her fingers. Please be on Father's side, she prayed silently.

Her silent prayers must have been blocked by the wind, because a second later the person jumped, landing beside Rido. Mayumi gasped as more figured joined his side. Her eyes widened. Servants, Level E's take your pick on names, but each of them, male and female alike, were his slaves.

One of the females, Mayumi couldn't see what one, spoke up "How dare you threaten our Master!"

"You will pay with your lives!" Another man chimed in, as him and a small group charged the two Purebloods.

Mayumi peered through the storm to see what had happened. Blood stained Haruka's hands, and the hands of her father. She breathed a sigh of relief. She felt rather stupid actually. In what world could Level E's defeat a Pureblood? Let alone two at a time.

The next round was quickly approaching, however. This time, the entire body of Level E's rushed forward, like a wave. And through it all, Rido's sword pierced though his own servants as his Hunter's weapon flew on bloody rope straight for Akihiko's heart.

"Father! NO!" Mayumi screamed, clutching the bars and squeezing her eyes shut. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be! He'd always been there for her! He always would be! He'd promised her! From before she could even remember, he'd promised he'd be there! He couldn't be gone just like that!

She slowly forced her eyes open when she heard no tear of flesh, or the shattered sound of a body turn to dust. Instead, there had been a metallic clang and she could smell Rido's blood.

A Vampire Hunter's blade was lodged in Rido's shoulder. The blow had come from behind - the hilt was all she could see. Looking closer, she thought part of the hilt looked familiar. She was more relieved to see that the blood had retreated into Rido's finger and his sword was on the ground.

A dark figure landed in front of the bars. She heard a squelch and heard Rido grunt as the sword was pulled from his shoulder. The scent of his blood grew stronger as the wound bled. She squinted, trying to make out the mysterious Hunter who'd intervened.

His image was blocked since he covered the moon, but she could see his sword. It hung loosely in his right hand, the blade looked like that of a normal double bladed medieval broadsword, except that the other side was ridged. She knew that sword.

Her breath caught as she tried to look at his face. It was him. The Vampire Without Fangs. But why was he here? He expressed no concern over her well being when the two had met. The man looked over his shoulder, his dirty blonde hair swishing with him. His eyes narrowed at her before he leapt up, jumping past Rido and beginning on the Level E's. The four Purebloods watched in mild shock at the gesture.

"Hunter!" Akihiko called, once all the Level E's were dead. The Hunter turned, his body poised for another attack.

Akihiko held his hands up in a defensive gesture, showing they weren't enemies. "Thank you. But. . . why did you come to our aide?"

The Hunter exhaled and relaxed his stance. "I did not come to help you. I was told to destroy the Level E's on the outskirts of town" He replied curtly. His gaze turned toward where Rido was. . . or rather, where he wasn't.

Even Mayumi had been so focused on watching the Hunter in action that she had lost sight of her captor. He had escaped, no doubt knowing he'd be killed if he stuck around. Timidly, Mayumi reached one of her hands through the bars "F-Father..." The adrenaline that had kept her from feeling the ill effects of what she'd been through was fading. Reality was returning sharply, and painfully. Snow melted on the skin of her outstretched hand.

The Hunter grunted softly, before leaping high from the ground, vanishing into the darkness.

"Mayumi!" Akihiko yelled, running to take his child's hand. She was cold as the snow around her. Haruka followed silently, helping Akihiko to open the bars and free her. Mayumi embraced her father, his body was so warm against her. She felt as if she was thawing. Unfortunately, the sudden movement made her vision blur.

Akihiko embraced her back, tightly. She felt so fragile. Her muscles trembled for a few seconds against his arms before she collapsed, unconscious against him. Haruka reached a hand out to help support the girl. For the first time, Akihiko truly met Haruka's gaze. "Thank you" he said softly, picking his daughter up bridal style and beginning his trek back to the house.

Haruka followed by unspoken consent. "Its quite alright. I could not just sit back and allow my brother to torture your daughter." his chocolate eyes briefly surveyed the girl's pale complexion. "It seems she's already been through more than she should have. And I apologize for that. My Big Brother has long been a thorn in the side of anyone he dislikes"

Akihiko nodded "Will you stay with us for a day or two before leaving?" he asked, stopping to tuck Mayumi into his coat as much as he could. "I'm sure she'll wish to thank you when she awakens from her sleep"

Haruka nodded. "Very well."

Mayumi awoke in her bed, the sheets and comforter pulled around her. A small flutter by her side made her jerk and see who was there. It was her mother. Aimi placed a gentle hand on her wide eyed daughter. "Sshh, its alright, my dear. Your safe. You've been asleep for two days now"

"T-Two days?" she asked in shock. She sat up, feeling her arm sting. That hadn't healed yet? sheesh, she felt like she was in the worst health ever. "Wheres Father? And Rido?"

Aimi pressed lightly against Mayumi's shoulder "Your father is downstairs with Haruka Kuran." she rose from the chair she'd been in. "I'll go get him"

Mayumi's hand shot out, grabbing her mother's almost as slender hand. "No! don't go! Send one of the maids instead!"

Aimi looked at Mayumi for a few seconds before nodding. "Very well, dear." she motioned to one of the maids who stood at the corner of the room. "Go fetch Lord Akihiko" she commanded.

The selected maid bowed and hurried from the room. Her heeled footsteps receded down the hall. Mayumi waited, her breath quick in antisipation. Finally, the footsteps returned, this time with a duller addition to the two footfalls. The maid reentered and joined her two companions. At the moment though, Mayumi could have cared less. Her father was in the doorway, alive and well. And, although she couldn't remember all of her dreams from the last few days, she remembered enough.

Grateful tears filled her eyes as he stepped to her side, quickly taking her in his arms. She felt one of his hands stroke her hair as he whispered to her "My little Yumi.." She melted into his touch, her face buried against his neck. She breathed in his scent, her eyes beginning to turn crimson with lust. Her body needed to feed. With her grave loss of blood, it was almost crucial, and it would help her body recover faster. She opened her mouth, feeling her fangs release.

Akihiko held her closer still "Feed, Yumi. I will help you get better"

Normally, she would have licked him first, but she was so desperate. She felt weak, and she hated it. Smaller injuries like her feet throbbed. It was unbearable. If she'd been human she'd probably be on her deathbed from cold and blood loss alone. She clutched his shirt and bit into him harshly. His rich blood flowed into her mouth, warming her body as every drop slid down her throat. Her fangs dug deeper, wanted more.

Akihiko held her close, allowing Mayumi to take what she needed. After everything, she needed every drop she could get. Mayumi drank for several long minutes before pulling away. She was trembling slightly, as she pressed her lips to the wound and used her tongue to clean the remaining blood away. She wanted every drop she could get. Akihiko looked down at her "Do you feel better?" he asked gently.

"Y-Yes, Father" she said softly. Already her body had become less sore, her feet no longer hurt, and the Hunter's would must have been healing because it to no longer hurt.

"Do you feel well enough to dress to see Haruka?" he asked, a gentle, amused smile on his face.

"Haruka?" she wavered. "He's still here?"

Akihiko nodded "I invited him to stay until you could thank him properly"

"Of course.. I can dress then be down shortly" she replied, feeling more confidant in herself.

Akihiko nodded and left her side, taking Aimi's hand to leave with her. He ushered her out before pausing to look back at her. His eyes were sad. He said softly "It was your eighteenth birthday three days ago.." He said before he left.