"What the hell's she thinking!?" I growled through the grit of my teeth. I found myself booking through the hallways, dodging clusters of teenagers. I tried my best to remain undetected, but my highest priority was finding that dunce of a vampire! Bluehead had explained the rest to me, mentioning something about a swimming club, Mermaids attacking and draining the mana out of boys, and Moka somehow in the middle of it all. What in the world possessed her to intervene? She knows this would cause a bigger scene. She knows she's weak in water. She knows how vulnerable she is with the rosary on her. So what happened!? I knew I was getting close, the crowds of students were gathering more and more, heading towards a direction in unity, talking and gossiping amongst themselves of a fight going down between the swim club and, I quote, "one of the hottest girls in the school!" I could've been blind folded and I still would've found her. And when I did, I felt a wave of dread crawl up my spine. I had just managed to find a gap through the crowd of onlookers, anyone that I happened to push or shove, only blamed another student. The scene that was laid before me was like as if The Little Mermaid was directed by Zack Snyder. The entire pool was a feeding frenzy, water thrashed and exploded, some of the invited boys managed to rip themselves away and scurry to safety while the more unfortunate ones were dragged back in only to have their life force drained and reduced to withered husks.

Mermaids; glorified sea leaches are more like it. These gill-girls are the temptresses of the oceans, they seem easy enough on the eyes, sure, but they're vicious pack hunters and potent killers. And here they were raising havoc with no one to supervise them. At the center of the chaos, I saw her, Pinktop getting bashed and thrown around like a rag doll. It wasn't even the whole pack, it was just one Fishleg that was thrashing at her. Some dark haired broad, cackling with sadistic glee as she came at the crippled vampire again and again, swimming circles around her. Calling it a fight would've been an ignorant deduction. This was just playing with food.

I was stuck. There was nothing at my disposal that could help me, not without revealing myself. every method I came up with revolved around somehow announcing my presence. I had few options and even less time. She was starting to loose consciousness, the relentless beating combined with the searing pain of the water's effect was taking its toll on her. Pinktop was in so much pain, her mana dispersed erratically like destabilizing pulses of electricity. If she stayed in the pool any longer, she was going to die...Stressing over the lack of a proper plan, I could only think of one thing. I decided to run right into the goddamn pool.

I ignored all possible consequences or reasoning as I made a mad dash for the vampire. The Mer-bitch had jumped out of the water and intended to pounce down on the Vampire, with the intent to completely submerge and drown her.

"That's what you get for challenging me in my eleme-" That's the last thing the Fishleg said before receiving a sloppy kiss from an invisible fist. After leaping in, I manage to land one square on her jaw, the glove did the rest of the work. The obnoxious She-trout hit that guard railing so hard, the metal clang must've rung for a solid minute. But I wouldn't have known, I was too busy with a new problem at the time. I found myself under the surface, I saw Pinktop, and she was barely conscious, not to mention the vanish spray was dissolving as fast as we were sinking. I found myself in a very difficult position. The rest of the mermaids were still too busy feeding to notice yet, but when they were done, they'd go for us. I had to revive Moka somehow before that could happen, she was my best option and my biggest priority. It's not like I could resuscitate her under water, and there are too many eyes above us...I then noticed her rosary, and remembered the silver haired brute that was her alter ego. As much as I despised her, I didn't have the luxury to hesitate. I grabbed the cross, and yanked it clean off. Like opening the gate of hell, an explosion of aura pushed me back. Deep, potent mana burst forth, splitting the pool water apart in a massive radius. When the pool receded I remained submerged, holding my breath for as long as I could. The muffled sound of powerful strikes and blows above the surface were a strong hint that Redeyes was wide awake, and probably pissed off. One by one the mermaids were bashed, punched, kicked, and dragged out of the water, each followed by it's own unique scream of agony. I know she doesn't like water because of what she is, but damn, the fishlegs must've had it coming.

However, while one crisis was averted, another one took its place; drowning. I was reminded shortly after diving in that the breath I held in my lungs was soon turning stagnate. I started to choke and suffocate as I immersed deeper and deeper. I had stayed under for too long, daring not to risk exposing myself. Before I could even attempt swimming back up, my limbs already became numb.

My mind was slipping.

My vision darkening.

They say your whole life flashes before your eyes. Who ever said that was a croc'o shit The last thing I got to see before I blacked out, was a child's smile...But, seeing as how I'm still writing all of this down, I clearly didn't die. Instead of going to that big pasture in the sky, I heard sounds. At first they were too stifled to interpret, but eventually, they became more comprehensible. Both were all too familiar voices.

"Oh no, NO-FREAKING-WAY!"

"C'mon, Kuru-chan! He's completely drenched, I can't touch him!"

"Can't I revive him another way? does it need to be mouth-to-mouth!?"

"I don't know! You're the succubus, why are you being so hesitant?"

"The hell is THAT suppose to mean!? Oh screw it, I'll try this!"

I was met with a rushing blow to my chest. My lungs were flattened and whatever water was left in there went shooting up, and out, my mouth and splattering right in the Succubust's face.

"UGH! HUNTER SPIT!" She screamed in disgust as she frantically wiped her face, swearing and cursing derogatory terms regarding human diseases. I spouted hoarsely between relentless coughs and gags, "You call that...resus...citation...!? I'd rather...have had a walrus...do it...!"

"Mikey-san!" Pinktop cheered, ready to leap at me, "I'm so-"

"Still soaked here." I stopped her abruptly before she could inflict any more harm to herself. Though, to my relief, it seemed she had recovered quickly.

For the moment I glanced around our surroundings, noticing the damage the other Moka left. It looked like a hurricane had swept through. Most of the solid tile floor had been shattered and cracked. Some of it was even embedded with the beaten bodies of the swim club members. If this is what is considered a casual day at this school, I can't imagine what would qualify as a "bad day." I tried to clear my throat as I managed to say, "What happened while I was out? Where's the rest of the students?"

"Kuru-chan scared them off. She announced that she had told the Guardians of what was happening, then they scattered."

"You're welcome by the way!" The succubust exclaimed contemptuously, still trying to clean her face with her sleeves.

"Wait, 'guardians?'"

But before she could give me any further insight, our attention was averted to the stirring grunts of half-conscious Fishfolk. I pulled myself up quickly, still groggy from nearly drowning, "We need to leave. Is there any other exits off this roof?"

"Just the one everyone came out of." Pinktop explained, looking worried. She then remembered what she kept in her bag and suggested, "I still have the spray can."

"It wont work while I'm dripping like this."

She pursed her lips, urgently contemplating a better plan. Then, like a bulb had switched on, she turned to the succubust and stated epiphanically, "Kuru-chan! You can carry him out of here with your wings!"

"What!?" The bluenette shouted objectively.

"Yeah, what?" I was just as confused.

"It's not like we have any better options." The vampire shrugged, confident in her plan.

I wasn't so sure how she would think a succubus of the bluenette's size would manage flight with my additional weight, but we didn't have much time to argue. But, to my astonishment, it managed to actually work. I have to give credit to succubus anatomy, their wings have insane stamina. We had made some good distance from the school, long before anyone came back to the pool to investigate. But did that stop Succubust from whining...?

"God, you're heavy! Are all hunters this weighty or is it just because you happen to be American?"

"If that's suppose to be a crack at obese people in my country, than you should try harder."

"Gee, thanks. Insult advice from a perverted hunter; that means so much."

"What's your damage? Is it your 'time of the month' or something?

"Oh, classy! And excuse me! It's not like I saved your life or anything, not like I deserve a little gratitude. And you know what? If we're counting technicalities as well, I saved your scruffy ass THREE times-including now! So you're welcome for-"

"Christ! You think the whole goddamn world revolves around you, don't you! Look, if you're too pissy right now to go any further, you can drop me off right here. We're far enough from the school so-"/pp"Oh, sure! I'll 'drop you off' alright..." With an impish smirk, the despicable tit-fury let her grip slip from under my arms, and I found myself falling. Fortunately though, a gangly tree managed to catch me. What was not so fortunate was that the descent left me covered in scrapes, stuck in an awkward position, and in a right foul mood!

"Real funny, Smartass!"

The succubust only snickered jeeringly as she flew off, literally leaving me hanging.

"I swear," I started muttering to myself, "the next time I see that obnoxious spawn of Lilith, I'm gonna-!"

"So that was the succubus 'friend' you mentioned before?"

However, it would seem that my shit luck had yet to reach a conclusion when I was suddenly welcomed with someone I despised even more. When I looked down near the trunk of the tree, there was Ashling, staring back at me with her signature cunning smirk.

"I thought I told you to stay out of my business?" I retorted, scowling at her with deep scorn.

"And what are you going to do, glare at me spitefully, upside down, till I keel over dead?" She scoffed, "Besides, I should be telling youu that anyway. I was already here. You're the one intruding on my business."

I hate technicalities...

"So how did you're little recon go?" she inquired, her tone thick with sarcasm, "Did you end up just as empty handed as Jack?"

I was spitefully silent, I didn't want to admit to her deduction. Then, I was reminded of the door, then that one student I encountered in the hallway...but also, I remembered what Pinktop mentioned. Something about "Guardians."

I made my retort as I said, "Well, I can tell you, if you promise to help me down..."

Suddenly, I was seeing the tip of Ghostwalker's blade at the bridge of my nose.

"If you've indeed discovered something, then I implore you to spill." She snapped back, her gleeful expression traded for a menacingly grim glare, "Don't think you can bargain me like last time, Crane. Keep your secrets, or keep your life."

I discretely gulped down whatever agitation she tried to stir in me and maintained my persona. I rolled my eyes before rebutting, "Ashling, you really think death threats would work on me? Killing me will just give you more trouble. To start, you won't get the info you want, then you'll have to go through the trouble of burying my body, assuming half the school wont smell it before you've finished, and then there's that nosy pinky haired kid, she'll def-"

A sudden slice of enchanted metal through brittle branches caused my continued descent, only to have the ground come rushing at my face with a hard plop.

"Alright!" The shrieker exasperated with stagnate annoyance, "You've made your point. So? What did you learn?"

"Not much." I managed to huskily reply, as I pulled myself up from the dirt. I continued to explain more clearly as I wiped my sleeves and adjusted my hat, "The school's construction is as disturbingly normal in it's interior design as much as any other school you'd expect. But, I managed to pick up on some gossip. Apparently, they do have a type of security in there."

The scythe wielder raised an eyebrow, "So something is keeping those brats in line?"

"I don't know about that. I actually just got out of a Mermaid death brawl. Whole roof got wrecked, I'm not even sure everyone survived."

"Mermaids, eh? I guess that explains the damp clothes. I really hope this doesnt become a recurring thing with you?"

I narrowed my glance at her, "Anyways...Some of the students call them 'Guardians.' But who exactly they are, I have yet to figure out."

"Is that all?"

I nodded, "Pretty much."

But then, she suddenly stepped closer. Ghostwalker looming over me, her amber stare seeming colder and more toxic as it pierced deeper into my eyes, "Is it...?"

She was testing me for bluffs, her intuition was my worse enemy. It went without saying she suspected me. Remaining firm, I retorted plainly as I said, "Spare me the penance stare, Shrieky. I got nothing else for ya."

A cold chill of silence wisped on for what seemed like hours. As if she was ignoring my words and just reading my soul...But it would seem my synthetic conviction paid off. She backed off, retaining her default smirk of audacity, and returning her scythe to it's bracelet form. She then responded with, "Then we've reached a conclusion..." she walked past me, brushing her ghostly aura on my shoulder like a phantom's veil, adding the retort with, "I suppose I should go find Jack before he too gets stuck in a tree or something. Oh, and send my regards to the vampire..."

I finally gave myself a chance to breath easier, once she was finally gone. I didn't want to count how many times I've dodged the bullet. I made sure to find my way back to the refuge, Pinktop had promised to rendezvous there later, after she and the succubust finished the club fair. And while In that time of waiting, I took a moment to reflect on what I've learned. After removing my jacket, and setting myself on the side of my mattress, I thought about that door I discovered, the sense of presence it seemed to have. It could have very well been the entrance to the principle's office. Could have something to do with these "Guardians", too. I could not understand something as powerful as that, lurking in the walls of that academy, would lack the authority it should demand. But, as I said before, it could be the only thing that's keeping this place together. Sure, it's occurrence may be enough to keep most students from going crazy, but not all of them, hence the incident at the pool. Mermaids may be many things, a lot not good either, but they aren't stupid. They're not reckless brutes like Orcs. They did what they did because they had a level of belief that they could actually get away with it. So the question now was, how much discipline do these Guardians actually enforce? Supposedly enough to make an entire crowd of yokai teenagers scurry like frightened sheep, yet it would seem they lack alertness. The fight with that Saizou punk, that could easily be missed. Happened after hours, everyone was either still in the school cleaning up, or in the dorms. However, havoc at the pull was so massive almost half the school was aware, yet no clear representative of enforcement was there to stop the chaos. I couldn't figure what the reason could be. I eventually just decided to leave a pin on that thought until I could talk to Pinktop more about it.

As for that student I saw...I was irritated at the fact that I couldn't get his face. I didn't know why, but something about that boy made me uneasy. The images of that dream were still so vivid, as if seared into the thick membrane of my mind. Perhaps, if I had a dream like that a couple of years ago, I would've just figured it as a freaky nightmare, and simply dismissed it as irrelevant. But I am part of a world now where such ignorance can cost you greatly. Besides, something like this happened before in my life, a time in which I wish with all my heart that I could change, but that detail isn't important right now. Most of what was happening here, the moment I was trapped in this place, it hardly seemed to make sense. But that kid, whoever he was, I had to somehow find him again.

Why?

I'm honestly not quite sure. Something about him just set me off, got my attention. At first I thought it may have something to do with Katsuo, but I was starting to doubt that more and more. It was dangerous, sure, I could tell that much that this dream was trying to warn me. Warn me about something big. But, all this just sounds like simple paranoia and conjecture. All the more reason to find him, to validate any suspicions that I may have. But that wasn't the biggest thing weighing on me at the time. Yeah, that vampire was giving me quite a bit of stress. I couldn't begin to fathom what exactly was going through her mind when she made such an ill-conceived decision. But it wasn't like I had much to preach either. Feels like I've been making one bad call after another since I got trapped here. Like that stunt in the pool.

I just ran in there, like some bull-headed rookie. It wasn't like me to make such a deadly mistake. Now that my mind was more calm, there were other possible scenarios that I've could've exploited. I could've gone with something similar with the succubust's idea, take advantage of my invisibility and shouted out something like "The Faculty is coming!" amongst the crowd of confused, teenage yokai. Another method would've been just to simply use one or two of my hex bags I keep on hand. Their main purpose is to counter spells and such, but I couldve tried using them as calculated flash bombs, since they are essentially just that; magical explosives to counter other magics, but will only disorient unsuspecting victims.

But no, in the heat of the moment, I had no plan, no strategy. All because I panicked...

Panic.

Now there's something I haven't experienced in a while. The fact it even crossed my mind was enough to make me crack a scoffing laugh. Come to think of it, I've been in a few similar positions like that already before the pool incident. But it was more than just high stress, or giving into that damn conscious of mine. When I saw that girl, struggling to defend herself, her strength sapped by the water, her life fading away under the fishleg's relentless assault, I hadn't felt such a blind urge to run head first into certain doom for...well, for a long time. I consciously glanced at my desk, eyeing at one of the drawers. It was where I had temporarily left my phone, wallet, and whatever other valuables I had on me for safe keeping. But I was half tempted to look into it to find something else.

A..."reminder" of sorts.

I found myself sighing instead and muttering something to myself, "I gotta get out of here..." was probably somewhere along those lines.

Not long after, though, Pinktop was at the front door, waiting for me to let her in. She looked a little anxious, probably because before we had split up after the pool, I told her that we needed to talk. She seemed to know exactly why, too. With the usual entry incantation, I allowed her in. Apparently she was holding a towel along with the rest of her usual stuff.

"Hey..." She started first, "I brought this from my dorm room...I thought maybe you would need something to help you dry off..." She managed to make a week smile, trying to retain her typical enthusiasm. After handing the towel to me, she sat down on folded knees, her hands on her thighs, like she was expecting a scolding.

I accepted the gift, but I maintained my focus on the conversation, "So...What was the aftermath of everyone who was involved in the incident?"

"Well, for starters, no one got seriously hurt. The victims of the attack were able to recover their inflictions. As for the Swim Club they were punished. I don't know what kind of punishment they were given, but that's what I heard anyway..."

"And you? How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. After the seal was removed, my body instantly recuperated, even after the other me returned to the rosary."

Now that the initial questions were out of the way, I now had to address the biggest issue, and Pinktop hardly looked forward to it.

"What happened back there, Moka?" I asked firmly

At first, she looked at me when she heard me say her real name again, making a somber expression that indicated she knew just how serious I was. She knew exactly what I meant, but she was hesitant to speak, looking at the floor with guilty eyes.

"Moka, do you know how reckless your actions were?"

She gripped the edges of her flannel skirt. Still biting her tongue.

"I wasn't able to finish my search because of that stunt you pulled!" I raised my voice, "Because of that, we've missed our window! And now I'm going to need to-"

"I JUST...!" She shouted, but then stopped, readjusting her tone as she prepared to explain herself.

When she spoke, her voice was frail and contrite, "I...I don't know...I just wanted to help..."

"'Help...'?" I quoted, irritated by her vagueness.

her gaze remained fixed at her knees, "When me and Kuru-chan were looking for the newspaper club, we heard a lot of commotion near by. We saw where it was coming from. Just outside the window, we saw the pool on the rooftop. The Swim club started attacking other students, trapping them in their frenzy. Kuru-chan said to just ignore it, and let the Guardians take care of it...But I knew that would take too long. They would've drained everyone by the time they managed to show up...They didn't even appear regardless. So...So I rushed over to try and help, completely forgetting about Kuru-chan...but, despite my attempts to pull the victims to safety, I was knocked in myself...the rest you already know."

After hearing her story, I let out a sigh, then took my hat off, placing it to the side of the bed. "But why?" I replied, "Why did it concern you so much?"

She raised her head, and looked right at me as she retorted, "Would you do any different?"

"Of course not." I answered back with unflinching resolution, "The mission was the highest priority! Everything else is-"

"LIER!" she shouted, suddenly standing, glaring at me in outrage, "If you really believe that, then what does that mean for ME!? If 'The Mission' was so important, then why did I concern you so much!?"

I hesitated for a moment, but managed to make my retort, "You're no good to me DEAD, Moka! I need your help if I'm going to get out of this alive!"

"And what about the time before that!?" She snapped back, challenging my tone with her own, "When Kuru-chan tried to attack me, or the time before THAT, when Saizou tried to kill me!? How would me dying have ruined your plans then!?"

I growled, "Don't turn this argument around on me! What you did at the pool was not only stupid, but completely out of character for you! I thought you were the charismatic type, using your words to win confrontations. I thought charging into dangerous situations was the Redeyes' shtick...?!"

Suddenly, my own accusation reminded me of what happened a week ago. I looked at Pinktop again and deducted firmly, "It was what Ashling said, wasn't it? Dammit, Moka! I told you to not let that shreiker get to you!"

"Why, is it because she's right!?" She snapped back harder than she ever had before.

I paused, perplexed by her assumption. I was about to demand clarification, but, I noticed her eyes were starting to swell under her other wise tenacious scowl. She proceeded to say, "I know you told me to ignore her...!" her voice started to diminish in volume, her gaze following the same descent, staring back at the floor in shame, "I know that...that you consider me a partner...and that, I consider you a friend...but, but even knowing that, at the same time I wasn't sure. As eager as I was to trust someone, I still barely know you. for the past week, all I could think about was what she said...how she looked at me...and what she called me...I wanted to prove her wrong...Whatever it took, I wanted to prove her wrong...!"

Her tone shrank from furious rebellion to shaking fragility. Between every few words were gapped by a soft sniffle. Holding back her tears as much as she could. Damn. Ashling's words had cut deeper than I thought.

With her last ounce of courage, she raised her head back up, looking at me with puffy red eyes, stinging with salt, "When I told Kuru-chan that you weren't that kind of hunter, was I telling the truth, or was I lying...? You don't see me as a means to an end...right? I'm not a pet...right?"

When I saw the uncertainty drowning in her fragile expression, I was reminded again of just how lonely this girl was. She wanted to believe that I was her friend, she wanted to trust me so badly. But with her previous experience with other humans, and witnessing just how cruel a hunter like Ashling could be, she couldn't separate the black from the white. Stuck in this perpetual grey gap of faith and doubt. She thought the best way to show that she was more than capable to be on the same terms as any hunter was to do what I had done for her, saving someone. If that was the case, then I had only one response to this...

"I got spooked."

Pink's teary expression mildly scrunched, trying to find meaning in my words.

"The reason why I ran to help you at the pool...That's my reason."

She wiped one of her eyes, "You mean...you were scared?" she asked for clarification.

I scratched the back of my neck, "If you want to call it that..." I sighed, softening my tone, "When that succubus told me you were in trouble, it was like I had lost all focus. I was angry, sure, still a bit right now...but, I was also worried, anxious even...So I ran, I ran as fast as I could to find you. I don't know why I lost it like that. But, for what its worth, I'm more glad that the both of us are still kicking than I am upset that the plan was a bust..."

I placed my hand on her slanted shoulder, clasping it gently, "I still don't regret helping you that day. We made a partnership, Moka, a promise, one that I plan to keep..."

She sniffled, "I...I know...its just...I...I'm sorry...I'm..."

"Moka, as corny as this is about to get, I can say, with full honesty, that I will never think of you anything less than my equal. You are my friend, and my partner. No crazy, scythe swing'n, scream-loony is gonna tell me otherwise..."

The vampire, silent and emotionally exhausted, managed to push back her tears, and dry up her face. With a small smile, she managed to retort, "You're right...that was pretty corny." she giggled softly.

I couldn't help but grin back as I replied lightheartedly, "C'mon! Here I am, being all tender and crap, and you call me a maize field. What, ya gonna call me a tree for being sappy, too?"

She let out a stronger giggle, "Oh no, first you try to lecture me, now you're using puns. What is a girl to do~!"

We managed to trade smirks and supple laughter. The atmosphere was returning to its usual mood. The operation may have not ended as well as we had wished, but at the very least our covenant stayed intact, and we lived to try again another day. After that, we sat down to exchange anything that we had learned. She informed me that she and the succubust managed to sign up for the newspaper club, and I told her about the door I encountered. The conversation had eventually brought up what I was hesitant to mention, but when I admitted it to her, she seemed genuinely curious.

"You think you may have spotted Katsuo?" she asked with deep intrigue.

"No, maybe, I'm not sure. It could mean anything...but I have more doubt than confidence that its the bounty we're looking for."

"Because you think he might be another human?"

"I can't say. Humans, unless they focus on it for long enough, have an aura that's so weak it can be nonexistent. But, that could be the cause of a suppressor."/pp"Hm, maybe that dream you mentioned? You said you saw him in it, maybe he's significant in a different way?"

"You seem to think that my weirdass nightmare is somehow relevant."

"Well, I like to think that you being here wasn't just a coincidence either."

She was having the same vibes, eh?

"Was there anything else you managed to notice on him?" She continued.

"Nah, just the back of his head."

"What about a name, maybe?"

"Nope, the kid looked like another freshmen. He seemed kind of a loner too."

Pinktop paused, giving herself to ponder in deep contemplation. She then looked at me and said, "He might be in my club then."

I widened my stare, "That's quite the leap in conclusions."

"When me and Kuru-chan were signing up for memberships, we noticed that there was already a spot filled in the category. Aside from the president, there was only one spot filled. At first we thought nothing of it, but what you described made me notice something. Out of all the other clubs listed, Newspapper was the least popular, it was almost completely empty."

It took me a moment to get where she was coming from, but then I nodded and said, "So in a school that demands every student to be involved in a club, where does the 'Loner' go...? To the smallest, and most insignificant group on the campus."

"Exactly!" she exclaimed, proud of her deduction skills.

"alright, you might have a lead then. Do you remember the name?"

She gave herself a moment to clean through her memory, "Hmm...Yeah! I think it was...Tsukune Aono."