News about the festival spread fast throughout the school. Not only had Mitsuko qualified to compete on the international level, but she also scored higher than the night class students. The Day Class was in a whirl of excitement over Mitsuko's win. The students in the Night Classes were unimpressed and angered.

"Tch, How can a human… beat us like that?" One growled.

"She must have cheated," Another one chided. Although many were surprised, Aido remained unphased by Mitsuko's success.

'She must have enchanted the judges, the same way she did me,' he thought to himself. All he could think of lately, was of how it felt to be enchanted by her. Although he knew that none of it was real, he couldn't help but feel his heart tug in his chest, every time she passed through his mind. It felt like every thought he had, reminded him of her, and her eyes would burn their way to the front of his head. Although he knew it was just repercussions from being under her influence, it hurt him nonetheless.

XXXXXX

"Are you sure you're alright running this errand for me? I'm sure I could do it myself some other time," Professor Tachibana asked his star pupil.

"It's no problem at all!" Mitsuko assured, "I was going into town this Saturday anyways, and it really wouldn't be much trouble." Professor Tachibana smiled at Mitsuko.

"Alright, just bring this order form to the Sheet Music Emporium for me, and they'll take care of the rest," Tachibana told her, handing her a sheet of paper. Mitsuko bowed, accepting it.

"You can count on me," she assured Professor Tachibana as she left class for the night. It was Friday night, and tomorrow she was going to town with Mahara to go shopping. Mahara had told her about the incident with Aido. She clutched her book even closer to her chest. After Mahara had given it back, she had been terrified of it falling into the hands of someone else. Although she hadn't encountered the night class all week, she already knew that Aido had thumbed through it. She knew he had seen the blood, and read every note she had scribbled. She couldn't help but wonder, what he thought of her now. Mitsuko shook Aido out of her head.

"Just more of a reason to avoid them," she said to herself as she rushed back to her dorm. When she got there, she found Mahara sprawled out on the bed, cutting pieces out of a magazine for a paper doll she was working on.

"Who are you making now?" Mitsuko asked, as she set her things down and situated her room.

"It's a surprise," Mahara said bluntly, as she put down the scissors and carefully cleaned up the magazine. Since Mitsuko had moved in, Mahara couldn't help but be influenced by her consistently tidy nature.

"Where should we go first tomorrow?" Mahara asked Mitsuko. Mitsuko thought for a moment.

"That cafe you mentioned, with the sweet treats," Mitsuko told Mahara. Mahara nodded.

"Then we should go check out the market, and get you some new clothes and some room decor!" Mahara told Mitsuko.

"And books," Mitsuko added. Mahara groaned.

"You have enough books," she laughed at Mitsuko. Mitsuko smiled and laughed along too.

"Oh," she remembered pulling out the order form Professor Tachibana had handed to her. "We also need to stop at the Sheet Music Emporium and pick up an order for Professor Tachibana," Mitsuko told Mahara. Mahara nodded in understanding.

"We should do that last," Mahara told Mitsuko. Mitsuko nodded.

"Hey Mitsuko," Mahara spoke up. Mitsuko looked to her friend and saw the serious gaze cast over her eyes.

"What is it Mahara?" Mitsuko asked.

"You never told me… What happened that night when Aido…" Mahara trailed off, afraid to continue the sentence. Mitsuko nodded understanding.

"You want to know?" Mitsuko asked. Mahara nodded. Mitsuko let out a deep sigh.

"I was practicing, and he snuck up on me, and startled me very badly. And… he began asking me a lot of personal questions that… didn't make me feel comfortable," Mitsuko told Mahara. Mahara nodded solemnly.

"I never would have… nevermind, I take it back," Mahara quickly stopped herself.

"Take what back?" Mitsuko asked. Mahara couldn't help but smile.

"I was going to say, I never would have guessed Idol was such a pervert, but seeing how he treats his fangirls, it isn't surprising," Mahara explained. "Just don't pay him any mind. He's nothing but a bastard, and you shouldn't let a jerk like that scare you. Just keep ignoring him, and he'll quit bugging you," Mahara told Mitsuko. Mitsuko nodded.

"You're right Mahara," Mitsuko told her, before letting out a yawn.

"Good idea," Mahara said, "we've got a big day tomorrow. We'd better get to bed early, so we can get an early start and beat the crowds!" Mitsuko nodded in agreement. The two girls got ready for bed, and before long they were both in their beds, drifting off to sleep.

XXXXXX

Mitsuko had the best time with Mahara in town. They stopped at the Una Carroza Caffe and had the best sundaes ever, and then stopped at a small convenience store to pick up various snacks to add to their snack stash. They went to a local thrift store and Mahara helped Mitsuko pick out some new clothes.

"Everything is so big on you!" Mahara claimed while Mitsuko tried on her fifth pair of jeans. All of the jeans she had tried on thus far were way too big. This was the first pair that fit around her hips.

"These aren't so bad," Mitsuko said, cuffing the legs, "I can always tailor these to fit, and they're not too expensive." Mahara sighed.

"I suppose you're right. It's the best pair I've seen you try on," she said begrudgingly approving of them. Mitsuko also picked out a blue blouse, and a white and yellow floral dress. They were about to leave when Mitsuko also spotted a bright red raincoat and was immediately drawn to it.

"A raincoat?" Mahara asked, "what for?" Mitsuko offered her a peculiar look.

"For when it rains?" Mitsuko told her matter-of-factly, earning a groan from Mahara.

"The school already has standard issue all-weather coats we wear," Mahara told her. Mitsuko shrugged, and added the coat to her purchase. Later that day they took a walk around Market square at the various crafts and tourist pieces that were for sale. They found a street painter, and bought a piece of art to hang in their room; it was a monochrome interpretation of the town's skyline. They stopped at a second hand book store, and Mitsuko ogled over the various books.

"Look at all these neat books!" Mitsuko exclaimed grabbing a stack of picture books to sort through. They must have spent an hour there before Mitsuko finally settled on The Americans by Jack Kerouac, Snowflakes in Photographs by Wilson Bentley, The Collins Big Book of Art: From Cave Art to Pop Art and Arashi No Yoru Ni by Yuichi Kimura.

"Got a thing for picture books I see," Mahara commented at Mitsuko's collection. Mitsuko couldn't help but blush.

"I live vicariously through pictures," Mitsuko reasoned as they made their way through the town. It was getting late in the afternoon and the girls knew they had to hurry and finish their errand for Professor Tachibana, and then return to the school. They went down a few blocks to the Sheet Music Emporium, and quickly collected the professor's order. They were finally making their way back to Cross Academy.

"We need to do this again soon!" Mahara told Mitsuko holding up her brown paper shopping bag. Mitsuko nodded in agreement.

"This wasn't even half the town! I was hoping to explore all of it today!" Mitsuko explained. They were making their way along a sideroad, as a shortcut to the Academy when suddenly, a man appeared out of nowhere and approached them. They stopped.

"Who the hell is this guy?" Mahara whispered to Mitsuko. Mitsuko narrowed her eyes.

"Just keep walking, maybe he'll leave us alone," Mitsuko told Mahara. She grabbed Mahara by the hand and briskly moved along, pointedly putting herself between Mahara and the strange man. Just as they were passing him, the man reached out, and grabbed Mitsuko's arm. Mitsuko gasped, and Mahara quickly broke free ready to protect her friend.

"Hey just what do you think you're-" Mahara began to yell, before Mitsuko grabbed her arm again. Mitsuko gave Mahara a piercing look, before turning to the man.

"Do you need help, sir?" Mitsuko asked him, pulling her arm away. The man looked down at her.

"Are you the one?" He asked her, whispering hoarsely. Mitsuko was taken aback, not sure what this man was getting at. She saw a sharp sadness and desperation in his eyes. He was pleading with her. Mitsuko felt a dull pain tear through her chest. She was about to answer when suddenly Mahara screamed. Mitsuko felt as Mahara's arm was ripped from her grip, and turned in horror to see Mahara being carried off by a lady with wild brown hair.

"Mahara!" Mitsuko cried after her, breaking away from the man and rushing towards Mahara. She caught up with the lady and Mahara and without thinking, tackled the lady to the ground, sending Mahara flying across the street. The lady groaned under Mitsuko. Mitsuko quickly got up and rushed to her friend.

"Mahara, are you alright?" She asked kneeling down.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Mahara told her standing up. Suddenly Mahara gasped and backed away.

"M-Mitsuko," was all she managed to say. Mitsuko turned and saw a whole crowd of people gathering around them.

"She is the one…"

"She is our Salvation…"

"Our Patron Saint…"

"And she has brought a tasty snack with her…"

"Hush. We mustn't anger her…" Were the various whispers falling across the crowd. Mahara looked on in horror, as the crowd kept their distance from them, but remained fixated on the pair. Mitsuko looked to Mahara.

"Mahara, I need you to run," Mitsuko told her friend.

"What?" Mahara asked, not understanding.

"I promise, I will explain everything to you later but right now I don't want you to get hurt. I can handle them, but I need you to go back to Cross Academy and get help," Mitsuko pleaded with her friend.

"No! I'm… I'm not leaving you," Mahara told her friend, standing strong by her side. Mitsuko looked down, tears streaming down her face. She put a hand on Mahara's shoulder, letting her tears flow freely.

"Please Mahara. You don't know what these beasts are or what they are capable of. I promise you. I can handle it, but… I just can't bear to see you get hurt," Mitsuko told her. She looked up at Mahara, revealing her tear stained faced. Mahara was taken aback. She didn't understand what Mitsuko meant, but she decided to trust her.

"Alright," Mahara obliged. She gave Mitsuko a quick hug.

"I promise I'll be back for you," Mahara told her as she began to back away slowly from her friend. Mitsuko clenched her fist, pressing her nails into the palm of her hand, and drawing blood. Mahara was shocked at the sight, and even more shocked as the creatures around them turned. A hungry luster filled their eyes as their fangs and claws elongated. Suddenly one of the creatures sprang forth attacking; Mitsuko quickly knocked it back, before turning to Mahara who was still standing there… horrified.

"Please Mahara!" Mitsuko pleaded, as the creatures closed in around her, "get out of here! Get back to Cross Academy, and get help!" Mahara watched as the creatures attacked Mitsuko. She turned away, and ran as quickly as she could back the academy. Mitsuko sighed, closing her eyes.

'Now that she is gone… I am not afraid to use my power,' Mitsuko thought to herself. 'Although I vowed to never use them again, I cannot fathom seeing someone hurt by one of these monsters.'

Mitsuko opened her eyes, revealing that they were aglow with a warm, bright light, and then proceeded to defend herself from the vampires she knew surrounded her.

XXXXXX

Mahara ran up the stairs to Cross Academy, taking the steps two at a time, her eyes searching the gate for someone that could help. She saw Yuki standing there, no doubt waiting on her and Mitsuko. Yuki ran down to greet Mahara.

"Mahara!" Yuki called out, "where's Mitsuko?"

Mahara ran to Yuki, grabbing her by her shoulders.

"You… need… to come help…. Mitsuko… attacked," Mahara said in between gasping breaths.

"What are you talking about?" Yuki asked worriedly. Mahara gulped for air, and then took a big breath before continuing.

"We were walking back from town when this group of weird people attacked us! They were… all so horrifying. Sharp teeth and claws. Like something out of a movie! Mitsuko lured them away so I could escape and get help now come on, guardian!" Mahara demanded, pulling at Yuki's arm. Yuki's eyes went wide, as she thought of Mitsuko, torn to pieces by a group of thirsty level E vampires.

"It's too dangerous for you to go too," Yuki told Mahara tugging away from her. "I'm going to organize a search party and then leave. You need to go to the Headmaster's office immediately!" Yuki demanded.

"But Mitsuko," Mahara pleaded.

"Now, Mahara!" Yuki demanded. Mahara shook a bit at Yuki's command, but sighed and gave in. As soon as Mahara was gone Yuki called out to Aido and Kain.

"What's going on?" Kain asked.

"Mahara just came back and informed me that Mitsuko was attacked by what I can only assume is a group of vampires. We need to go find her, and kill them," Yuki informed her loyal followers. Aido's eyes went wide at the thought of Mitsuko defending herself, against a horde of bloodthirsty monsters. He couldn't help but remember the blood stained page on that notebook, and wonder if they were targeting her for a reason. Or if, she was just another victim at random of the level E vampires. Aido shook his head free of those thoughts, as he followed Yuki and Kain down the stairs and into town. He looked up, and saw that Kain and Yuki had stopped in their tracks. He looked down, only to be shocked. A Day Class girl was slowly approaching them. Her eyes were wide, her face paled, her uniform dirty and ripped, and she was riddled with various cuts and lacerations. Yuki gasped at the sight of her. The vampires felt the luster fill their eyes, but controlled themselves. Aido welled his eyes shut, and looked away. He felt the smell of ripe peaches and honeysuckle fill his nose, and in that instant he knew, that Mitsuko was a human. Yuki rushed to Mitsuko.

"Mitsuko?" Yuki called out to her. Mitsuko looked up at her. Yuki saw tears streaming down her dirty face, her long braided hair was disheveled and wild. Yuki peered into her eyes, and saw they were vacant; fear was the only thing Mitsuko could feel. She was leaning against the railing to hold herself up, and every inch of her was shaking.

"Mitsuko are you alright? What happened? Mitsuko?" Yuki called out to her, shaking her. Mitsuko was unresponsive. She gazed at the trio, before her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she collapsed into Yuki's arms. Yuki could feel Mitsuko holding on to her, while sobbing into her ear. Yuki looked down at Mitsuko, as a rush of pain, and guilt went through her.

"She must be in shock," Yuki mused to herself aloud. She picked up Mitsuko, and turned to Kain and Aido.

"Aido," Yuki addressed the aristocrat. Aido looked up, realizing he had been staring at Mitsuko. "Please take Mitsuko to the infirmary to be treated," Yuki commanded. Aido nodded, grabbing Mitsuko, and holding her in his arms.

"Kain, I need you to find Ruka and go out to town," Yuki gazed up at him seriously, "You know what to do." She didn't want to say it out loud, for fear that Mitsuko might hear them. Kain returned her serious gaze and nodded. He disappeared to fetch Ruka, and Aido made his way to the infirmary with Mitsuko in his arms. Yuki stood for a moment and sighed to herself.

'Just… when things were going so well,' she thought, as she made her way to the Headmaster's office to inform him what has happened.

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Ah... finally things are starting to get interesting! By next year Mitsuko's true being will be revealed and we will be finding out... Just what is to be done about her! ;3 I wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for all of their views and their reviews and their support and it has really, really meant a lot to me. We're only 9 days into December and this month alone we are almost breaking 200 views and 100 visitors which I couldn't be happier about, and I hope that as the story progresses, the fans will grow. I also wanted to update you on the writing of this Fanfiction, beyond what I have published. Most of the chapters are averaging around four word document pages, some a bit longer than others, and I'm currently editing Chapter 30, and I still don't think that I have reached the halfway point with the story yet. I'm going to guess this fanfiction will be around 100 chapters, give or take, plus I have some bonus material written, that I'm not sure if I'll publish or not. If I do decide to publish though, it won't be until after the story is 100% finished. I hope you all have a blessed holiday season and spend an abundant time with family, friends, and loved ones! Thank you so much Dear Reader, and I'll hopefully be back again next Friday!

-JW