He bent low, examining the small pile of dust that littered the alley. It appeared that the target in question had been dealt with already.

I'll be damned… He thought to himself as he straightened up. He looked around, checking for any unwanted guests. When he was sure no one was watching, he pulled out his phone and dialled.

"It's me. Anyone report on target #88714?" Inaudible chatter filled his ear as the recipient of the call answered. "Alright then." He nodded before hanging up.

"Seriously, what the hell is he doing there?" He grumbled as he walked away.

"Bon apetit!" Chairman Cross bowed as he laid out the table for four. It was a very scrumptious looking meal consisting of Ebi tempura, a colourful garden salad mixed with balsamic vinegar and steaming white rice served out on exquisitely patterned cloisonné bowls with matching cutlery.

"I hope you all like it!" Chairman Cross smiled. "It was my very own special recipe that I placed great love and affection into, all for my cute kids and their friends!" Anju, Ichigo and Misaki merely ate in silence, completely ignoring his exaggerated explanations.

"Are these really home-made?" Misaki asked. "They taste pretty regular to me…"

"That's because they probably are." Anju replied, grabbing a piece of tempura with her chopsticks before biting into it.

Chairman Cross immediately fell face first on the table. "But I put a lot of effort into this…" He whined, making occasional glances at Ichigo, the only one who had yet to say anything. However, Ichigo's stoic face dashed his hopes immediately.

"Chairman, putting effort, love and affection into cooking doesn't exactly make it special." Anju said. "If anything, it just makes it nice to eat."

"Well, as long as you like it I suppose." Chairman Cross nodded before delving into his food. "Also, I hear you'll be going to the Moon dorm later? I've already cleared things up with the guard on duty, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting in. Just, watch out for each other okay?"

Anju nodded as she set her bowl down. "Right."

With dinner now out of the way, they were all prepared to go, but not before taking their weapons with them. Although they had substantial trust from the Night class, it wasn't a good idea to go in completely vulnerable.

The stillness of the night was in full force as they walked toward the Moon dorm. Trees flanked them left and right along the stone pathway. Just as Anju caught sight of the Moon dorm gate, she heard Ichigo clear his throat. Anju turned, giving him a quizzical look.

"Remember. From here on, we'll be in their territory." Ichigo said sternly, as if warning her. Misaki herself looked tense, her eyes darting all around. Anju now wondered if there were any tabs being kept on them. The trees alone provided sufficient cover for Gabriella's bats. The Moon dorm was looking less like accommodation and more of a fortress now.

The guard on duty nodded as soon as they approached, opening the gate and allowing them to pass. Barely five minutes in, Ichigo then motioned them to stop.

"Here to welcome us, vampires?" Ichigo said, drawing out his gun. Misaki and Anju did the same with their weapons as Sean and Joe appeared out of the darkness. Despite their weapons being drawn, there was nothing they could have done to prevent the two vampires from getting so close.

"Relax prefect." Sean shrugged. "We're just the reception service."

"Besides, we haven't done anything to be convicted of yet." Joe added. "So could we just have a civilised meet and greet?"

"A little tough considering your reputation Mr. Higashi." Ichigo growled. Suddenly, a strange screeching could be heard in the air. The trio looked up to see hundreds of bats swarming all around.

"That's enough horsing around you two." Gabriella said as she walked into the clearing. "Anju, Misaki, Ichigo, I bid you welcome to our humble abode. Rest assured, Lord Akira has ordered us to not harm you."

"Uh, thanks, I suppose." Anju nodded, straightening up and putting her staff away. Misaki followed suit as well, the sight of the vampire prefect putting her at ease. Ichigo however, kept his gun drawn.

"Right this way please." Gabriella motioned for them to follow. At once, the bats dissipated, leaving the silence of the night to pierce their ears. The trio braced themselves as they entered the domain of the vampires.

It wasn't long before they saw most of the Night class. While their eyes remained human, Anju couldn't help but notice something was very off with the way they presented themselves. The female vampires were wearing clothing that appeared to be more inviting, perhaps even make them seem vulnerable considering how most of the dresses barely fell to the knees and exposed their arms fully. The male vampires were dressed incredibly smartly, though their hair appeared messy and their eyes more sharp than usual.

But the main thing she noticed was how ethereal each one looked. They seemed beautiful, almost too beautiful. Their very presence appeared to invite and frighten at the same time, as if saying they could be approached, but a careless move would earn you a retribution the likes of which you'd never know.

This is what vampires are really like. Anju noted. Their true selves within the confines of the dark. Anju now watched as Gabriella led them to the central garden of the dorm, where a huge level of activity was taking place.

"Hello!" Emi greeted in a cheerful voice. Anju, Misaki and Ichigo stared at the enormous cake that sat upon a centre table. The cake in question consisted of five layers and was approximately 2 metres tall with whipped cream and chocolate flakes decorating the sides. Cherries were adorned all around with smaller blueberries between each one. Anju noted the huge amount of blown out candles, wondering exactly how one vampire could have extinguished them all.

"Wha-?" Anju blinked. Unlike the other students, Emi appeared to be dressed in a more endearing way, her blue dress sparkled with glitter along with the diamond necklace around her neck. Even more so, she wore a bright smile that seemed to brighten the whole place.

Misaki now went up to Emi, extending a small but beautifully wrapped box. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks Misaki!" Emi squealed as soon as she received the gift.

"Wait, today is your birthday?" Anju asked as Ichigo wore a deadpanned look.

"Yep!" Emi smiled. "I'm officially 21 years old in vampire years! That's why everyone went out of their way to attend. They also made this huge Blackforest cake! It's my favourite!"

"I thought Strawberry Shortcake was your favourite." Gabriella frowned. "Oh wait, I made a mistake. Anything sweet is your favourite."

"Tsk tsk Gabby. No vinegar on my birthday celebration." Emi sniggered.

Gabriella pouted. "Will you quit using that nickname? It sounds so childish. Besides, I am older than you, so you think you could cut that out?"

But Emi didn't appear to be listening. She was helping herself to more of the cake, Gabriella now pushed to the furthest and most distant section of her mind.

"I swear, one day she'll be the death of me…" Gabriella sighed as she held the bridge of her nose. Ganju immediately came up to her, putting his hand around her waist.

"You and me both." Ganju chuckled as he nuzzled her neck. Gabriella smiled as he led her back to their seat.

"Well, this was unexpected…" Anju chuckled as she drank in the atmosphere of the place.

"Stay sharp." Ichigo snapped. "Don't let your guard down."

"Relax Ichigo." Henry said, coming up to him. "None of the vampires will lay a finger on you."

"And who are you to promise me that?" Ichigo argued back against Henry. At this point, most of the other vampire students now looked at Ichigo with narrowed eyes. Anju gulped as the tension was rising again, only to be smoothened out by Emi's crazy antics with the cake.

"Not him." A voice rang out. "I am the one who promises you."

Anju, Ichigo and Misaki turned to see Akira now enter the garden dressed in a black shirt and white pants. As he entered, many of the other vampires immediately bowed before him. Anju now saw just exactly how much an influence Akira himself had upon other vampires. Akira nodded, motioning them to stand as he walked to a sofa that sat under a circular veranda. Accompanying him the whole way, Lin Hua followed, standing to the side of the sofa as Akira sat in it.

"Ichigo, are you well?" Akira asked as he rested his head on one hand.

"Shut it." Ichigo growled. "I came here because you said you could explain what happened down in town earlier today. What's all this about an order from you to put down a vampire?"

Murmurs ran through the crowd. Anju now saw how many of the other vampires were obviously getting agitated by how Ichigo talked to Akira. She turned to Misaki, who motioned for her to ignore it. As if to prove her intervention was not necessary, Shinji walked out into the garden, eyeing the rest of the night class students, who immediately relaxed.

"As you know Ichigo," Akira began. "Some of us here are members of the Vampire Knight Order. It is thus our duty to also take action against those of our kind who threaten humans."

"Wait." Anju said, interrupting them both. "What are these Vampire Knights?"

"It is an order among our race." Henry explained. "Founded by the queen years ago, we are the vanguard of peace between humans and vampires alike. Our duties include management of Ex-human vampires, coordinating with the Hunter's Association on unruly vampires and, if need be, put them down for good."

"Like that one back in town?" Anju said. "What was up with him anyway? He sounded so, savage…"

"That is because he had finally succumbed to his primal instincts." Ganju explained from his chair. "You are aware of Ex-human vampires, right?" At this, Anju nodded.

"Well, sometimes, without proper supervision, Ex-humans degrade. The thirst for blood grows stronger and stronger till it becomes an overriding will or drive of sorts." Ganju continued, which served to chill Anju's very being with every word. "Once that completely takes over, every ounce of sanity disappears, and all that's left is a ravenous creature that attacks without conscience or mercy."

"At that stage, they become what is known as Level E." Henry finished, pushing his glasses up. "Or, Level End, a type of vampire classified below Ex-humans that has no place within the vampiric hierarchy. And all Level E's were once, at some point, Ex-humans."

Shock flew across Anju's face as she digested this new information. She looked at Ichigo and Misaki, who only responded with a grim look. "Wait…" Anju gasped. "Does that mean, Ichigo will…"

"We don't intend for that." Gabriella replied. "However, Ichigo does run that very risk. And if the time actually comes where he degenerates, then we may have no choice."

Silence permeated the very air as Anju took this in. She wondered how long had anyone around her knew this. Was Ichigo's life merely hanging by a thread now? Would Akira eventually be forced to kill him? She still remembered the day he had saved her. Akira was a gentle person, but he could also be cold and ruthless when he had to be.

"Anju." Akira spoke at last. "Rest assured, I will not harm Ichigo in any way unless I have no choice. But I still believe it wouldn't be appropriate for you to know about this."

"Oh." Anju blinked. "Um, okay…"

Akira then shifted to the side of the sofa. "Anju, sit, please." He smiled as he motioned for her to come sit on the sofa with him.

"Uh, it's fine." Anju shook her head. "I don't want to impose."

Akira nodded, agreeing to her terms. However, he stood up and walked toward her, reaching for her elbow. "Was it here that you were hurt?" He asked. Anju, knowing that there was no point in dissuading him, nodded.

"Seriously…" Akira chuckled. "You need to be more careful." Slowly, he rolled up her sleeve and removed the bandage to expose the cut beneath. It still appeared fresh as he brought her elbow up to his mouth and planted his lips on the cut. Anju went red-faced as he held the contact for a few seconds. The minute he let go, she realised the pain had disappeared, though the wound was still there.

"You know of the cruel fate for the Level E's, don't you Ichigo?" Akira spoke again when he had relinquished Anju's elbow. "And yet, when you had a clear shot, you didn't bother to finish him off straight away." Ichigo's only response was to scoff at him.

"I wonder why would someone like you, who possesses such an ingrained animosity toward us, show mercy so easily on someone like him? Did you feel guilty about the fact you had to take a life that was consigned to a dark fate?" At these words, Ichigo's eyes grew hard as he glared back at Akira.

"Or perhaps…" Akira continued. "You felt pity for him?"

At this very comment, Ichigo drew his pistol and pointed it straight at Akira's head. Anju screamed in protest as Misaki prepared to haul him back.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Lin Hua stood between Ichigo and Akira. Her right hand was outstretched, clutching a Sai that she now pointed straight at Ichigo's throat. A slight trickle of Ichigo's blood now dripped onto the grass as both vampires remained still.

"Stand down Lin Hua." Akira said. "What I said was far too insensitive. The fault is solely mine. Let it be." At his command, Lin Hua nodded, removing the weapon and returning to her post behind him. Still, Akira's order didn't seem to ease the strained atmosphere in the garden as many of the other vampires were just on the edge of lunging at Ichigo. If their adoration of him was any apparent, Anju knew they could not so easily let go of the fact a Pureblood's life was threatened

"Alright, alright." Emi cleared her throat as she announced to the crowd. "Today is my birthday, so please, no fighting in here, okay? Come on, have some cake, enjoy the ambience of the night, get some drinks. Just, no fighting." Emi punctuated the final two words with a chilly gaze toward all the other vampires. At once, the flames of hostility disappeared and the stillness of the night returned once more.

Anju now sat on the veranda's sofa, helping herself to a slice of cake which was the courtesy of the vampires. Akira had decided to mingle about with the rest of them, which now left the three guests to do whatever they wished. Misaki currently mingled with Henry while Ichigo decided to stay within a dark corner of the garden.

Anju now watched as a vampire couple kissed each other on a bench not too far away. Suddenly, the boy leaned in and sank his teeth into the girl's neck. Instead of repelling him, the girl instead appeared to relish the sensation. Apparently is was very normal to the vampires, for none of them gave their attention to the matter at all.

"Are you alright?" Anju turned as Akira returned. "You look a little, out of sorts." Akira said as he sat down next to her.

"Sorry." Anju apologised as she looked at the scene again. "I'm not well versed with the social life of vampires."

"I see." Akira chuckled. "Do you fear me then?"

"N-no!" Anju jumped slightly, waving her hands about. "It's just, I never thought vampires took each other's blood, that's all. For all my time with you, I'm just surprised how much I don't know about your race."

Akira chuckled once more. "I was just pulling your leg Anju. But to answer your question..." Akira said as he leaned in closer, but still respected Anju's space. "For a vampire in love, nothing is more satisfying or tastier than the blood of the one they love."

"You could call it a desire." Lin Hua spoke up from behind. "For us, who are able to withstand greatly the ravages of time, love is something that we think little about. But when we find it, it can be very overpowering."

"It is both beautiful and frightful at the same time." Akira added. "Some relish the company and blood of their soul mates. Others may want it so much, they'd do anything for it, even if it meant the death of one or both of them."

"Sounds like…" Anju gulped, finding the right words. "Sounds like a huge responsibility."

Akira smiled in response as Gabriella and Ganju now walked away. "It appears another couple wishes for privacy." At the side, Ichigo merely fidgeted uncomfortably. Anju was stunned to see the usually stoic boy being so nervous in a place like this.

"Anju…" Akira whispered to her so no one could hear.

"Huh?" She replied, wondering why he was being so discreet.

"This is my world." Akira said. "A world of sanguine darkness, ephemeral beauty and deep desire. It can be world of loving passion, comforting serenity and eternal bliss. Or it can be one of rampant sin, haunting allure and bloody fate. Knowing this, would you still want to be more involved? Would you still want to stand by us?"

Anju knew what he was saying. She knew since the day they met that vampires were dangerous creatures. To encounter one was to chance life and death, or perhaps an even worse fate than that.

"But you fight for it, don't you?" Anju replied. "You swore to do so, on your blood and life. If you really fight for this world, you must see something grand in it. It's the only reason you would do so much for it."

"So, even if I don't understand, even if I appear naïve, please…" Anju said as she held his hand. "Let me come into this world from time to time."

Akira smiled in response. "Very well then. But remember Anju, you should tread carefully. Even to ourselves, our world isn't one that is so merciful. It is far less for one such as yourself. Can you promise me that much at least?"

Anju, with no other response than to accept the gravity of Akira's words, nodded.

As this conversation went on, Emi and Shinji were now gazing upon the mountain that was Emi's birthday cake.

"How are we actually going to finish this?" Shinji asked.

"No clue." Emi shrugged innocently. "I was hoping that everyone else would eat more of this. Maybe we can keep it over for the next few days…"

Shinji then stared at the cake, tilting his head as he thought of something. "Well, I'll have some. Could you pass me the knife?"

"Sure." Emi smiled, squinting her eyes shut as she handed the knife to Shinji in an attempt to be cute toward her lover. Thus, Emi didn't see what would transpire over the next few seconds before the pain ran through her fingers.

Emi's eyes shot open as she stared at her hand that now had a huge gash across it. Her blood spilled out of the gash, though some of it was now stained on the cake knife held in Shinji's hands.

"You could have waited…" Emi sighed as she offered her hand to him.

"You know I can't." Shinji said as he took her bleeding hand and began to lap up the blood that flowed from it.

"Hah…" Emi nodded. "I'm sure." Emi now leaned in toward him, tilting her head to his neck. "Because neither can I." Emi than clamped her mouth over his jugular, relishing the taste of his blood with every second.

Akira and Anju now watched this new scene enfold with Shinji and Emi now embracing each other closely whilst drinking one another's blood. Anju now spotted Ichigo suddenly grimace and run out of the garden.

"Ah…" Emi gasped as she noticed Ichigo's exit. "It seems we got too carried away Shinji." She wiped the blood from her lips and licked it off before she and Shinji went and knelt before Akira. "My apologies. We were too insensitive to a guest."

"It matters not…" Akira shook his head. "Ichigo must now deal with this new difficulty in his life. It is something he must accept until we rid him of his dark fate."

"As you say milord." Emi replied.

Anju looked in the direction he ran off, pangs of worry now eating through her gut. "Akira, I'm sorry." She said as she turned to him. "But I think I should go after him."

"I know Anju." Akira nodded. "Go ahead. I think you all have had enough excitement for a night."

Anju thanked Akira and Emi before she ran after Ichigo, disappearing into the darkness.

Ichigo panted, the stench of vampire blood still in his mind. Once more, the raging fire of his thirst flared up again, screaming to be put out. He fled past the Moon dorm gate, sprinting as fast as he could toward the main school building. He managed to reach the swimming pool used for physical education before the fire in his throat finally became too overpowering. He fell to his knees, panting with pain and exhaustion.

Something churned within his stomach and searing flames scorched his very chest. He held a palm toward his heart, which beat ridiculously fast, as if warning him of the inferno burning his insides out.

Shaking uncontrollably, his other hand reached for the blood tablets in his shirt pocket, the only thing that could sate him now. It didn't matter if it wasn't dissolved in water, even just swallowing them would do.

"Ichigo! Where are you?"

Ichigo suddenly froze, his sense of smell now picking up something more appetising, so much more that it made his mouth water.

"Ichigo!" Anju cried as she came up to him. "Ichigo what's wrong? Is your thirst acting up again?"

Get away from me! Get out of here now dammit! Those were the words he wanted to say, but the pain was so intense, his mouth so dry, that he could do nothing but open his mouth in a soundless scream.

"C'mon…" Anju said, grabbing his blood tablets that had fallen on the floor. "Here, you need them now."

Ichigo then pounced on her, his body and mind unable to bear it anymore. Anju shrieked as he pinned her to the floor. His eyes had now turned blood-red and his breath, ragged, almost bestial.

"Ichigo…" Anju pleaded, hoping that Ichigo would hear. "Please…"

Ichigo didn't answer, but slowly moved his mouth toward her throat. Anju squinted her eyes shut, waiting for the pain to hit at last. However, just before he could, something made him hesitate. A painful moan escaped his mouth as Anju looked up at him, seeing how much he was still trying to resist.

Suddenly, her head felt cold. She turned to see that they were on the very edge of the pool, the water now soaking her hair.

"Uwaah!" Anju groaned as she gathered up her strength and flipped him over her and into the water. She turned to see him now floating in the depths of the pool, sighing in relief that his eyes had turned to their normal colour.

Ichigo now surfaced, gasping for air. He stared into Anju's eyes and suddenly realized the ache had disappeared, the fire put out. He took his breaths in gulps to combat the recent tension that had coursed through every fibre of his body.

"It's okay…" Anju said, patting him on the head. "I told you, you won't hurt me…"

Ichigo scoffed. It was only by a hair's breadth.

"Now come on out of there." Anju said. "You'll catch a cold like this."

Ichigo stared for a few seconds more before complying, wading toward the side of the pool.

BANG!

The gunshot rang throughout the air, dispelling the silence of the night and stunning both Ichigo and Anju. Anju blinked just as she noticed something. The water was turning red.

Now she saw the hole that was left in Ichigo's shoulder from which blood poured forth. Ichigo could only stare at the wound with utter shock.

"It's been a while…" Anju turned toward the voice to see a haggard looking man with raven-black hair. He was a smoker it seemed, the near extinguished cigarette in his mouth attested to that. But the most prominent was, carried in his left hand, a Lee-Enfield rifle that was now pointed at Ichigo.

"My old apprentice…" He finished as he cocked the rifle again.

Author's Note:

Hi all. Sorry for the late update. Been busy with internship and all.

So anyways, I'll be continuing this little story as and when I can. Once more, do review and comment on anything you think should be improved.

Jdbl00d