DISCLAIMER - see chapter 1

Mai hurried back to her room and closed then locked the door, her hazel eyes watching it for what seemed like an age as though she thought someone, or something, was going to burst through it. His eyes…She thought, over and over again; she couldn't get the red out of her mind, they almost…glowed…She thought, panicking as she stepped back towards the window, gasping as her shoulder bumped into it. I need to get out!

She didn't know why, but her mind was screaming at her to get out of that room. Pushing up the window she stepped onto the ledge and reached upwards, her fingertips barely gripping the stone ledge above. How am I going to get up or down? She wondered, gasping slightly as she moved her foot, trying not to think about what it would be like to fall from this height.

There wasn't a handy tree outside her room, but there was one a few feet across, past Naru's room. Taking a breath, Mai began inching her way across the ledge, her eyes focusing on her goal. There was a large gap between her window and Naru's, but she had to try for it; something told her she wouldn't be safe in her room. Reaching across, Mai began to lean, gripping the ledge above as she reached out for Naru's window edge, the stone just inches from her fingertips.

"Up here." A new voice called, Mai almost losing her balance as she started, her hazel eyes looking up to find a pale hand offered down to her. She only hesitated a moment before taking the proffered hand, his strength pulling her up to the ledge beside him, where he wrapped an arm around her waist and almost seemed to jump. It felt like an instant, but then her feet were on the slanting tiles above Zero's room. "What were you doing out the window?" Zero asked as he looked down at Mai with a puzzled expression.

"N-nothing, nothing at all." Mai replied forcefully as she took a small step back, looking into his violet eyes searchingly. He reached out hesitantly, almost hurt by her reaction as she flinched away, and rapidly became wary. As he looked down at where her room was he became aware of the reason for her fear; Kaname was in her room. Shit.

"We can't talk here." He said, his voice barely a whisper as he breezed forward and grabbed Mai, a hand going over her mouth to silence her as he jumped along the roof, hoping that no one would notice, or that they wouldn't care where he was going, though I doubt it with Mai smelling like this! He added inwardly, biting back his desire for her as he jumped from the tree, to the fence and down to the ground, travelling at high speed towards the fields.

"What are you?" Mai demanded fearfully as he put her down inside the stables, hoping the smell of the horses would drown out a little of Mai's scent, but they know I come here; Yuuki knows I come here, and she wouldn't disobey Kaname…Mai watched as Zero closed the doors and pulled the wooden bar down to lock the wooden doors, all of the stalls empty since the horses were out. Mai stiffened as the silver haired boy turned to her, his violet eyes tinted very slightly with red.

"Mai, I won't hurt you…" He assured in a soft voice that quivered slightly, whether a good way or bad, Mai wasn't too sure, but she knew one thing. She didn't feel safe. "I know I'm…different, but you've spent time with me; do I really seem like a monster to you?" He implored, still slightly hurt by Mai's sudden change of heart. Mai paused as she took in the boy before her, his eyes still soft, even if they were tinted red, other than that and a little breathlessness he was exactly the same boy.

"No." Mai replied, Zero smiling softly as he stepped closer, noticing that Mai seemed less wary than before. She really is like Yuuki, accepting it all without judgement. "What are you?" Mai asked again, anticipating and dreading the answer as Zero stepped closer, something changing about his mouth as be began to speak.

"You've already guessed…haven't you?" He prompted, Mai's hazel eyes shifting to his mouth once more. There was something about his teeth. Fangs! She realised, trying not to flinch as he stood before her, close enough to touch, his sweet scent washing over her, making her head feel light as she looked up at him.

"Vampire." She part realised, part admitted, almost falling as her knees gave out. The only reason she didn't fall was Zero's warm arms around her, his warm breath tickling her ear. His breath was shaking, almost as if he were intoxicated or drugged. Zero could feel the blood rushing in his ears as he cradled Mai to his chest, her blood's scent driving him crazy, and her closeness almost pushing him over the edge. In his heightened state he knew his own scent would be weakening Mai, soothing her fears and inhibitions, like a predator…

Almost unaware of what he was doing, Zero lowered his mouth towards Mai's shoulder, his lips brushing the soft warm skin, the scent of her blood mingling with her usual delightful scent. She was so irresistible, even the way she shivered against him, either from silent fear or the thrill of his scent; he couldn't be sure in his own state of arousal. He ran the tips of his fangs along her skin, the slightly salty taste of her human skin teasing his senses as he prepared to sink his fangs into her throat.

"Zero?" Mai's voice questioned as she felt his fangs poised above her throat, the boy pausing at the sound of her voice. He pulled back slightly, his eyes an even deeper red than they had been before. He had a guilty look in his eyes as he drew back, turning his face away to stare at the stable wall, "Is it hard? Not killing me I mean." She asked lightly,

"It's not that I'd kill you…I don't want to hurt you. Not like that." He replied uneasily, Mai sinking down to the pile of hay on the ground as Zero's presence shrank, his scent lessening; his intoxication calming. She felt like a mouse that the cat had spared. Zero sat beside her silently, his eyes still facing the wall,

"Are you new to…being one of them?" Mai asked, knowing already that they all had differing levels of strength. Zero was the weakest, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he had more advantages. His eyes weren't as sensitive as Ichijo's, and he could stand the heat of the sun for longer, and he was more human. His disadvantage seemed to be his weakness for blood, though Ichijo had been similarly affected. Damn period! Why did it have to start now?

"It's been about a year now…" He replied with a far off look that showed more pain than Mai liked to acknowledge. She was curious about how it had happened, but preferred not to ask. If he felt like talking about it he would. It was this quality that Zero liked. No questions, no judgements, just quiet companionship and silent sympathy. "You shouldn't let the others know that you know…It's dangerous." He said finally, Mai nodding her agreement.

"At least now I know what they were hoping we'd find out…" Mai sighed as she leaned back against the slightly bouncy pile of hay behind her, finding it surprisingly comfortable, though where it touched her bare skin it prickled. Zero shifted his eyes to her with a questioning hum, "Well, we were sent here to find out about the Night Class…Naru knew something was off from the start! It was like they already knew about it, but wanted us to find out…I don't know why; all of our cases are confidential." She replied to his silent question, Zero leaning on his side looking across at her.

"It could be the council I guess; they're not fond of this program Kaname has going. According to them, humans and vampires could never live in peace; in reality I think it's more that they like to consider themselves higher than humans, feeding on them like livestock, using them and throwing them away!" He replied almost bitterly, while Mai fell silent beside him. Vampires exposing vampires? I guess that makes sense…but surely it's dangerous for all of them that way…unless!

"They know you'll kill us!" Mai realised as she looked across at Zero with wide eyes, the grey haired boy reaching across to capture her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Not everyone. Only you…Everyone else, Cross can use his powers to repress the memory, but something about you is resistant to it. For the safety of all vampires Kaname will try to kill you, but I promise, I won't let it happen." He swore, Mai blushing slightly as she gave a small nod of thanks. "Damnit! Using people for their own agenda!" He added, one fist pounding the hay roughly as he ground his teeth.

"So…they didn't want us to expose you, they just wanted Kaname to realise how dangerous this charade is, so that he'll go home." Mai surmised, Zero nodding his agreement as he glared at the wooden wall, the anger flaring his bloodlust slightly. Keep a lid on it! He scolded inwardly, feeling the red recede from his gaze. Mai shivered as she thought of going to class that evening.

"Masako! I'm so glad you've arrived!" Ayako sighed as she walked alongside the young medium, having been tasked with guiding her to the old school building. Masako held her deep blue kimono sleeve over her mouth as she hid a small smile. In truth she was pleased to have arrived; there was no telling what havoc Mai was causing in her absence. She couldn't wait to see the look on the girl's face when she threw herself at Naru.

"As am I. I would have come sooner, but filming took longer than I thought it would, and then we were stopped by the weather in Hokkaido." She replied, feeling slightly fatigued. She had been travelling straight for about twelve hours. I simply must bathe and rest before I find Oliver. She decided, sighing at the thought of warm water; and perhaps a bed to rest her head. That may have to wait. She thought as the first cold wave hit her,

"Masako!" Ayako cried as she grabbed the smaller girl's shoulders, holding all of the girl's weight as she swooned. "What is it? What's wrong?" The older woman demanded worriedly as she hobbled off the path and lowered the medium to the grass below a tree in the shade. The younger girl looked up with grateful blue eyes as she lowered her hand and breathed deeply.

"I feel…I feel…" She gasped, Ayako putting a hand on her sweating forehead as she continued to take short breaths, "Death." Masako concluded as she fell back against the tree with her eyes closed, Ayako shaking her a little before getting to her feet and trying to heft the smaller girl.

"May I be of assistance?" A beautiful dark haired boy in a white school uniform offered with a charming smile, his dark brown eyes glittering in the sunlight. I know him…Kaname Kuran! Ayako gave him a grateful look as he stepped forward and lifted Masako into his arms like a princess, her head cradled into his shoulder safely.

"Thank you Kaname; please bring her to the nurse's office." She added unnecessarily as they started walking, Kaname noticing her anxious stares as they went. They clearly know each other, Miss. Matsuzaki and the medium Masako Hara…so; they're all in on this together…

"Do you know what happened to her?" Kaname asked innocently as they walked,

"Not really, she just suddenly swooned and fainted." The redhead replied, though Kaname knew there was more to it than the older woman was letting on.

"Please, take good care of him." John instructed with a smile as he handed David over to the Father. It was his first night as a fully-fledged hunter, and the road was no place for a child, besides; he couldn't sense Lord Farringdon anywhere nearby, so perhaps he could leave his son here anonymously. And if anything happens to me before I get hold of that Lord, perhaps he can grow up and live in happiness…John prayed silently as he drew back,

"Of course Father Brown, but are you sure you want to leave him like this? With no knowledge of who you are or where you come from?" The old man asked, though it wasn't unusual for parents to leave their children in his care. Many abandoned them for good.

"No! You must promise me! I may come back…someday, but until then please." John replied urgently, the older man nodding, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening as he looked down at the child gravely. John smiled in response, leaning down to place one final kiss on David's cheek, the small bundle wriggling as he tried to reach through the white blanket to grab his father.

"Not this time little one…You be good, okay?" John said with forced cheer as he drew back, the baby crying as he tried to reach for John. "I'll be going now." John said as he nodded to the old father, who nodded back and watched from the doorway of the church as John walked away, many of the children playing outside calling and waving goodbye to the young Father.

"Your business is concluded?" Toga asked as John climbed into the truck, the blonde nodding his response silently as the older man pulled away. He was unable to both look at the young Father and watch the road at the same time, but he knew it had been a hard goodbye. Perhaps this boy's tragedy and determination were the things that first drew him. He was more bitter than Zero had been. And with good reason…It's a loss we both share…

"Where are we going?" John asked finally as his eyes drifted across the farmlands, knowing they would end once they reached the landing strip.

"You're going to meet your new partner." Toga announced, cursing his missing eye. He wanted to see John's reaction to the news that they wouldn't be travelling together,

"Who will that be Mr. Yagari?" John asked, sounding almost disinterested. The older man wondered if he should say anything, after all John was still raw from his encounter with Lord Farringdon. He didn't want the younger boy flying off the handle about his new partner being a vampire. If anyone can calm him it'll be that Ichijo boy. Toga thought with an inward shiver at the eerily kind blonde vampire boy.

They drove silently, Toga noticing that John had fallen asleep in the passenger seat from the light sound of his breathing. He had worked with John for months, and only recalled having seen him sleep once or twice. It was a rare thing to be able to sleep on the job; and off it in John's case. It was a horrific loss to lose someone like that.

"Hey, sleepy head, wake up." Toga ordered as he shoved John's shoulder, the blonde boy opening his eyes groggily, the blue orbs still looking slightly dead. It'll be a long time before that look will leave his face…Looking outside John found that he was indeed at the landing strip, and a private plane was waiting to take him to Japan. "Your partner's inside, and remember, he's been chosen for you with good reason. Don't judge him straight off." The black haired man cautioned as he pulled a packet of cigarettes from his inside pocket.

John nodded cluelessly and climbed out, grabbing his bag from the back seat before walking towards the plane without a backwards glance. He had never been in a plane before; when he had travelled to Italy he had gone by ship and train. He was already wary as he climbed the steps up to the aircraft, curious to find all the window shades pulled down.

"You must be Brown-san." A kind voice greeted, John turning with a start as the young teen spoke, at least he looked like a young teen, John had no way of knowing how old the creature really was. He noticed that sickening smell straight away, his jaw tightening as he all but glared at the vampire. "I'm your partner, Ichijo…" The vampire trailed off.

"What?" John demanded, hoping that he had misheard as he turned to look back outside, but the truck was already gone. Not one for explanations that one…He thought, feeling slightly betrayed by his trainer. He had never dreamed that the hunters would keep pet vampires.

"Toga said you may react in this way…" Ichijo added sheepishly as the hatch was closed by the pilot, human John noted in relief. He remained standing a few feet from the vampire, who sat elegantly with his legs crossed. "Please take a seat; we'll be taking off soon." He added with a charming smile, John noticing the increased pheromones in the air, he's trying to charm me! John thought as he held a sleeve over his nose and mouth,

"Stop that." John ordered, Ichijo looking sheepish as he drew back apologetically,

"I only meant to calm you." He added defensively as John sat in the seat across from him and slumped close to the window, his hand reaching to raise the shutter, "I would really rather you didn't…" Ichijo trailed off sheepishly, almost hissing as John raised the shutter to look outside. He really is quite beautiful…but then I suppose all vampires are…John thought as he watched Ichijo rubbing his now sore eyes, desperately squinting against the blinding light. John lowered the blind slightly in compromise, leaving it half open so that he could look out, but the light was no longer in Ichijo's face. "Thank you…" The vampire said lightly.

"Why a vampire?" John demanded, hoping that Ichijo would have the answer to his question. The blonde boy shrugged innocently as he re-crossed his legs, his blue eyes shifting slightly,

"They thought it best…We don't want your only impression of us to come from Lord Farringdon…Needless to say he doesn't represent all of us." Ichijo replied, his eyes reddening slightly as he thought of that Lord. They had hunted him for years, ever since his wife had been killed. Her death had driven him mad. He couldn't blame him for feeling that grief; vampires were bonded for life, and one rarely outlived his mate, but the way he had handled it was…Shameful.

"And why you?" John added suspiciously, the younger looking boy almost grinning at that,

"It was our abilities and temperaments actually; they believed we would complement each other," Ichijo replied with a beaming smile, John flushing slightly. Surely males of any species shouldn't look that pretty!