Author's Note:
Apologies for being late with the uploads. I know I said I'd keep it to a monthly release, but that has been getting harder for the following reasons:
1) It has been difficult trying to plan this story out. I have a general idea of which direction to take, but getting to it has been difficult since I'm trying my best to come up with a way of being able to connect each respective chapter together. I want this fanfic to be good, and to do that I do not want to leave too many lingering questions. However, as the first fic that stretches for more than 11 to 12 chapters, it can be difficult to do so
2) I recently had to perform a large amount of job hunting. While I have been successful at this, it also means my time overall to spend on this is cut short. Therefore, I don't have much time as I'd like to update this.
3) There was a fanfic that I had to spend more time toward since it had been brooding in my head for 2 years. Unfortunately, I had decided to kake that one a priority, leaving this one out
I still intend to complete this story, so please bear with me and I hope you understand my current situation. For now, I can only hope that this chapter sparks the beginning of the more interesting parts. As a side disclaimer, this story is written to include a concert (as you would have realized from the last few chapters). The different songs are descibed in bold with their names and artists (if I could fins them). Keeping to the japanese origin of the franchise, I have deemed it necessary to include J-Pop songs.
As always, please read and review, and I hope you like my music choices.
Jdbl00d
"So…" He sneered. "I wonder if we'll have a chance to go for her?"
"Odds of success… Low… Target escorted… Pureblood… Witnesses… Many… Conclusion… Cease action…" 'Five' replied.
"God you are always a killjoy." 'Eight' sighed. "Well, no matter. I guess our infiltration has gone well. We just need to wait till the time is right."
"Affirmative… Returning to surveillance…" She replied.
"But man… How I would have loved attending that concert." He snickered. "And then drowning it in the blood of vampires.
"Final checks everyone!" Gabriella said to the vampire performers. For the moment, they had submitted only the final activity at the end, the Music Talent Show as was described in the pamphlets. Upon saying this, the performers and musicians began tuning up and testing their instruments, ensuring everything was ready. Sean Fernando was already practicing a few drum beats while Henry was working on his Clarinet.
"I think we are going to kill this thing." Delia Wagner smiled as she adjusted the strings on her violin.
"Don't count on it right yet." A male vampire nodded as he readied his saxophone. "We will need to make sure we don't mess this up."
"Just do as you guys have practiced and you'll be fine." Shinji said before turning to Gabriella. "How is our songstress doing?"
"Just going to check." She nodded, walking past him to the spare room in the dorm. There, Cassandra was already getting fitted into her dress and warming up her vocal chords.
"Lalalalalalalalala…" She chimed, each 'la' being at a different pitch and volume. As she did so, a pair of vampires slowly worked on her dress, ensuring it wouldn't obstruct her movements in any way. She then noticed Gabriella had walked in, turning to greet her. "Hello Gabriella! How is everything?"
"Seems like everything is going smoothly. The rest have gone to the stage area to wait for the performance. It seems that they are eager to see what the Day class students have planned." Gabriella reported. "At any rate, you seem awfully cheerful."
"You think so?" Cassandra asked. "Well, I am excited. But I doubt that solely explains the trembling in my chest and legs…" Gabriella frowned as she said that, studying the Pureblood closer. True enough, she saw that Cassandra was shaking, if ever so slight. Likely, the mixture of excitement and nervousness was starting to get to her.
"It's only natural to be filled with nerves before the start of every performance." Gabriella explained.
Cassandra sighed. "You know, I thought it'd be no problem after I had consigned myself to death that one time." She now reached up and rubbed her neck, the spot where James had bitten her. "Now it's unbelievable that I'm getting freaked out just by the thought of performing in front of so many people…"
"Sorry, I have no other advice except, give it your all, Lady Cassandra." Gabriella replied.
"Whatever happened to not addressing me that way?" Cassandra pouted.
"I actually think it suits you now." Henry said from the door. "After all, this whole thing wouldn't have been possible without you. You managed to get all the Night class together to partake in this school event."
"I gave a tour for some human visitors." Wagner nodded. "And they were all fascinated by what we showed them."
"So why don't we up that tempo as our final performance tonight Lady Cassandra?" Said the vampire with the saxophone.
"Haaa… You guys…" Cassandra sighed as the vampires helping with her dress stepped back, finished with the work. "I truly wonder how Akira handled you all." Cassandra lightly slapped her own face, taking a few deep breaths after. Clearing her head, she once again faced the vampires with a fire behind her violet eyes. "Well, we've come this far. Let's give a show they'll never forget!"
"Yeah!" The vampires cheered as they left for the main stage. Cassandra went back to check herself in the mirror to make sure nothing was out of place. As she did, she stared at a small box that she had brought with her. Opening it, she took out the ruby necklace that was given to her by her mother. Slowly, she draped it around her neck, clutching it tightly as soon as it rested upon her shoulders.
Mother, can you see? She said silently. I've made some pretty great friends, and I'm even participating in a school festival. I'm excited, but nervous as well. So please, once more, watch over me.
Anju fidgeted nervously as she stood amongst the crowd. Normally she wouldn't behave this way, but it all changed since her time with Yuki, especially the last line she said before she disappeared. She hadn't thought much of it, but the minute she had hugged him in town, she started remembering all the other forms of close contact with him, such as their first dance and the subsequent pseudo-transformation of her into a vampire.
She looked up to Akira, who had somehow decided to accompany her to the concert. For reasons unknown, he hadn't left her side. In a sense, it was okay considering that nothing would happen to her while he was present. Still, the uncomfortable silence between them that had stretch for almost thirty minutes now said otherwise.
Ugh… what in the world is wrong with me? She thought to herself. I mean, it's not like anyone would find it a problem were I to talk to him…
For his part, Akira too was conflicted about their current situation. He ought to not be around her right now; he had a job to do after all. Yet, for all his knowledge of his current assignment, for some reason his brain and heart seemed intent on delaying such responsibilities further. It's just to help manage security at the stage. Akira told himself. Still, he couldn't help but wonder if that was just an excuse he told himself. Never did he think he could be this unsure about something.
Soon enough, all the students (human and vampire alike) gathered around, their dispositions a stark contrast to that of the two of them as they awaited the opening of the concert. Once the clock struck nine, a loud voice boomed across the courtyard.
"Helloooo Cross Academy!" Came the voice of the emcee as he rang out the commencement of the final program of the day. "Has everyone been enjoying the first ever Cross Academy festival?" Cheers of acknowledgement erupted from all around.
"Woah!" He chuckled. "You all seem fired up! Guess there's no other choice but to end the festivities with a BANG! You ready for it?" Once again, cheers, louder than before, erupted from the crowd.
"Now without further ado…" The emcee grinned. "Let us welcome the first performance of the night, Class 2D's magic show!"
"Hell, it seems that everyone appears to be in the mood for this." Rodin chuckled as he stood by in the shadows, peeking at the students with his binoculars. His eyes finally landed on the once person he wanted to find. "There you are." He commented.
"Peeping on an innocent young girl." Serenity said from his ear piece. "What a sick fuck you are."
"I'm keeping surveillance dang it!" Rodin harshly whispered back. "In case you didn't realize, they'll likely make a move on her soon!"
"Whatevs." Serenity snapped back harshly. "At any rate, you really sure you should be up on the school roof? I'm more than certain what you are doing will catch the eye of everyone in the area, especially the guards. While I'm certain you can handle yourself, sounding an alarm would be completely disastrous to your current objective. So hurry it up and get your ass down from there. There are plenty of other places for you to spy on a young girl you pedophile."
"I'm not a pedophile." Rodin groaned. "But fine. I'll relocate somewhere."
Without another word, Rodin leaped off the roof and through the window below. As soon as he closed it, a dark shape emerged where he previously was.
"Sister?" Ren spoke quietly. "I have my eyes on him. I don't think he has noticed me, but I'll remain cautious."
"Good." Came Ai's voice on the other line. "I leave it to you to apprehend him where you see fit."
"As you say." Ren nodded. "By the way, you ought to know your son is actively neglecting his duties. Can't say why, but for now he appears to be more interested in staying close to Anju Cross."
"So I see." Ai chuckled over the line. "Well, I leave that to you as well. Though in this instance, perhaps it would be best to leave them alone for the time being…"
Both mother and son, so unpredictable… Ren sighed to herself as she inched back into the shadows.
"Thank you Class 1D for that astounding play!" The emcee said as the actors left the stage.
Anju frowned as everyone around her applauded. While it did seem like they had put it quite the amount of work, she wasn't sure how she felt about it. After all, it was named 'The Vampire of the Rose', and it was strangely adapted from Oscar Wilde's own work of 'The Nightingale and the Rose'. She had known of that original play for a long while, and of the tragic story behind it.
"That was quite the performance, wouldn't you agree?" Akira said to her. "I thought we would get a very tragic story, but instead the freshmen put their own twist on the story. To think they would actually make it that the vampire who sacrificed herself to create a rose would be transformed into a human?"
"Yeah…" Anju nodded. "Quite unexpected."
"Or rather, perhaps what made her a vampire was what caused the rose to bloom, and what was left was the human?" Akira debated. "How interesting that a play can cause one's imagination to fly in the most unexpected ways."
"Huh." Anju replied. "I wonder, did the vampire become a human so that she could be with the man she watched all this time? I mean, she seemed to long for him, but believed he could never accept her because of what she was."
This time, it was Akira's face that expressed a frown upon Anju's words as they influenced a strange emotion within him. No, it wasn't strange. He already knew what it was. It was only his own denial and concern for Anju that held him back from openly acknowledging it. He had known all along since he saved her life and watched her grow up. Not only that, he had always looked out for her while she in turn chose to believe in a future he himself desired, shaping her own thoughts and ideals to it. And lastly, ever since the time she had been subject to immense danger, he had seen how extraordinarily brave she was, both in protecting human and vampire alike.
He frowned as his mind made the most preposterous thought it could. Could it be that he was falling in love with her?
No… Akira shook his head. Even if it was true, even if he did somehow start to acknowledge these feelings for her, such a bond would be impossible. He had his responsibilities as a Pureblood; the desire that he take the reins when his mother stepped down was assumed by vampires worldwide, all of whom he was certain would desire for the Kuran line to continue. But most of all, he knew exactly the dangers Anju would be exposed to should he carry through with this. Both were no stranger to what the 'love' of a vampire meant, and while he considered himself adept at controlling his desires, he was in no way perfect, and that was dangerous enough. Of course, the option remained that he could turn her, but he would rather damn himself before making her suffer through that again; her pained face still fresh in his mind.
"And now, the performance you have all been waiting for!" The emcee announced.
"Oh! It's starting!" Anju exclaimed, snapping Akira out of his own thoughts.
"Please welcome our wonderful Night class students as they bring to you our final performance! Let us give it up folks!" He said, and applause resounded again. Slowly, everyone watched as the vampires emerged on the stage. All gasped in awe as Cassandra came up, wearing a plain white dress with her hair tied up in plaits with a huge ruby necklace was around her neck. All around her, the vampires were setting up classical music instruments, sitting down upon prepared stools.
Cassandra breathed, the tightness in her chest growing as she faced the audience. Her hands tightly clasped the necklace, praying to her mother for strength. When she felt she was ready, she turned to the vampires behind her, nodding for them to begin. They complied, and music now filled the air.
*Insert Con te Partirò*
Within the few moments of Cassandra singing her song, the audience had become entranced. Akira smiled, knowing that while this was such an expected move for her, it felt even if no one actually knew this music, Cassandra's voice would always captivate the audience. He then looked to Anju. It was obvious that she wouldn't understand the lyrics in the slightest, but he was sure it didn't matter considering the look of amazement on her face; her wide brown eyes more beautiful than he could think.
Immediately he looked away, concerned about how he was staring at her. He focussed on Cassandra again, hoping she didn't see his face. For now, it appeared she was more entranced with the performance.
The song went on, and Cassandra finished the second chorus, drawing out the last syllable as the audience erupted into applause. Cassandra took a few bows at first before gesturing to the musicians, who took their own bows. The applause continued until the musicians sat back down. Now they began to play a different tune, with Cassandra singing again.
"Ah." Akira nodded. "O Mio Babbino Caro. Another well-known piece."
"What's it about?" Anju asked.
"Well, supposedly it is a message of a woman to her father, between whom tensions are high as she has fallen in love with a boy they do not approve of. Her pursuit of this threatens to ruin their relationship forever, and she begs for pity. It is a pure message, but sad nonetheless." Akira explained.
"I guess she feels that way with her own family…" Anju sighed. "Only this time, I'm not so sure whether her family will forgive her…"
"The song communes the same." Akira noted. "How warped it is that sometimes one's own relations can cause the most grievous wound."
As Cassandra slowly approached the third verse, the music suddenly stopped and the lights went out. The audience started murmuring among themselves, wondering what had happened. It appeared that the vampires were unsure as well, for they gave curious looks at one another.
"What now?" Anju frowned, unsure of the situation.
"Power outage?" Akira frowned. "No, the timing felt too perfect for that."
For a long while, the stage stayed dark. The murmurs grew louder as confusion spread through the audience. Many whispered if the show had been cancelled, while some refuted the idea and attributed it to a power fault. Then, a high pitch metallic wail echoed throughout the air. Lights immediately flickered sporadically across the stage as a figure came into view.
Immediately, the screams of girls tore through the air as they recognised the figure as Shinji with a electronic rock guitar slung over his shoulder. He quickly tore out a speed metal solo that got the crowd cheering, crying for more. Even Akira looked impressed, smirking at the secret his cousin had been keeping from him.
Shinji now ended with a final strum, and immediately confetti burst out from hidden cannons on the stage. Once more the stage lit up, and everyone saw that the classical instruments had been replaced by a drum set, a keytar and a synthesizer along with other guitarists. The musicians themselves were clad like a punk-rock band; sporting leather jackets, studded blazers and bracelets and ripped stockings for the ladies.
Then, the cheers intensified as Cassandra came back on the stage, though she had apparently undergone quite the makeover within a short time. Instead of plaited hair, it was now tied up into a ponytail with a black bow. Her white dress was replaced with a long-sleeved purple shirt that exposed her stomach along with a studded skirt and black and violet striped stockings. Finishing it off were black finger-less gloves, a small silver bracelet on her right wrist and white sneakers, though she still sported the ruby necklace.
"Cross Academy!" She yelled into the mike as she stood upon the stage. "Are you guys having a great time?" Cheers and whoops sounded in acknowledgement and Cassandra nodded in response. "Want to end the night with a bang?" The screams intensified. Cassandra stood upright, shooting wry looks at the rest of the band.
"Then without further ado, let's get this finale started!" She punched upwards, drawing deafening cheers from the crowd as bats flew overhead, dropping strange objects down into the crowd. As Anju caught one, she realized it was a light stick. Soon enough, people were snapping them and bright colors appeared amidst the crowd. Immediately, Shinji began strumming the guitar.
*Insert Blow Out (Konomi Suzuki)*
Cassandra's voice exploded through the air as she sang. The shift from classical to blown out rock songs had the effect she had desired, perhaps even more so as evidenced by how people were jumping up and down, screaming and cheering at the top of their lungs. Some even did light stick dances to the music. Akira looked to his left as Anju followed suit, yelling and screaming in excitement to the music.
"WAH! WAH! WAH!" The audience chanted as Cassandra sang the bridge section of the song. Akira's attention now focussed back on the Pureblood as she performed on stage. He smiled as he beheld her face that was now filled with so much passion and energy; and summarily it began to affect both humans and vampires alike.
"Oroka demo, mubou demo. Unmei wo kirihiraiteike Blow out!" Cassanda sang the last line of the song, the band behind her playing the final tunes before cutting the music. As soon as silence descended, the crowd erupted into a mad applause.
"Did you enjoy thaaaat?" Cassandra asked the crowd, to which they replied with even greater cries of excitement. "Then let's go for another!"
"Whoooooo!" Anju cheered as Cassandra prepared to sing another song. This time, it seemed she wanted to bring the energy down, for the music started slowly this time around.
*Insert Ryuusei (Eir Aoi)*
Akira watched as Cassandra poured all of her heart into the next song. The audience in turn cheered as she sang, with many continuing to chant in response to the tune. But more than anything, Cassandra appeared to be having fun. And it was not her power as a Blood Siren, but the joy on her face that was affecting everyone present. He believed that he had spotted Misaki and Emi somewhere cheering with the rest of Anju's human friends, while other vampires and humans had their arms around each other's shoulders, jumping together and embracing the energy of the moment.
You see Cassandra? Akira thought as she began to finish the song. You are more capable of moving both vampires and humans than you think.
Cassandra completed the song once again, and once more she was answered with cheers from the audience, who seemed eager for more. On her end, Cassandra seemed eager to satisfy them. She went back to the corner of the stage, motioning for people to come up. Everyone cheered as soon as they saw the classical musicians come up once again, though the current cast remained.
"So this one is something we have worked on together." Cassandra explained through heavy breaths. "It's something that I felt I needed to say to someone close to me." She now clutched the ruby necklace she wore around her neck. "That person was my mother. It was thanks to her that I can stand here like this in front of you. Sadly, she's no longer here…"
Silence stretched across the crowd as they understood the message. Anju herself felt the pang of sorrow as Cassandra recounted a painful memory.
"So mom, this is for you…" Cassandra breathed, nodding to the band to begin the song.
*Insert Sincerely (True)*
Anju listened as the song continued, with the melody from both the classical and electronic instruments harmonising together; a testament to how much time they had spent on this. Equally as impressive was the amount of passion and emotion Cassandra had put into the song. Based on the lyrics, Anju was pretty sure that this was some sort of tragic love song; meant to convey one's feelings to someone long gone.
She sighed as she thought about the song, no longer joining the rest of the audience as they swayed their light sticks to and fro. Akira caught this, frowning as he bent over. "Something wrong?" He asked.
Anju turned to him, and immediately that fluttering in her heart that originated from their time at her class's café occurred again. She felt the blood rush to her head as she beheld his face. It was utterly nonsensical and had no form of backing whatsoever, but somehow he seemed more handsome right now. Maybe it was the trick of the light or the fact that it was night time; either way, she found it hard to form words straight from her mouth.
"Anju? Is everything alright?" Akira asked.
"I… Uh…" Anju stammered over the song that seemed to be telling her something. She wasn't sure of what the message was, but it felt as if she had to say something to him. What though? What was it that she had to say? She didn't know, yet she somehow found herself drifting toward him.
"Anju?" Akira frowned, noticing how close her face was.
"Um… I just wanted to tell you something; something that has been bugging me for a while now…" Anju said nervously.
"What is it?" He asked.
Anju paused, deciding what to do. She then leaned in, wanting to say something. Instead, she gave him a kiss on the lips. Akira's eyes widened in shock at this, though it was impossible for him to break away for fear of colliding into someone else. She held the contact for a few seconds before breaking away. They stared at each other for a few moments before Anju appeared to realise what she had done. Her face finally went beet red as her eyes widened in shock.
"I… I… U-Um… W-What did I…" Anju was so flustered that now she was incapable of speaking coherently. Had she been possessed or something!? She was just trying to say something, not kiss him!? Such thoughts berated her mind as she struggled to explain herself. In the end, she could only say one thing.
"I-I'm sorry!" Anju apologised before she ran off, squeezing past other students as she did.
"Anju, wait!" Akira said, though he was too paralyzed by the sudden action to react immediately. Only when he decided to follow her was she already out of his sight.
Anju ran. She didn't know where she was running to, only that she had to. She wasn't even aware that she had run a ways from the academy till she looked up and saw trees all around. She sighed, knowing that it was difficult to even find her way back in the complete darkness. She now looked at herself again, realising she wasn't even feeling tired. Once more it appeared Yuki's parting gift had helped.
Still, she wasn't thinking about where she was. She was more focussed on what she had just done. She had kissed Akira, something she knew was no simple matter. Even worse, she had done it in the middle of an entire crowd! She wasn't sure if anyone had seen it, but she figured it would have been plenty of people. She now fell to her knees as she imagined the possible repercussions that could occur with that one act alone. Firstly, there would be talk of whether she was now Akira's girlfried. Her stomach lurched at the word as she considered what that truly meant.
After all, Akira was vampire royalty. He had plenty of responsibilities involved with the security of vampires and humans, not to mention his need to one day take over his mother's role. If word got out that he had an intimate relationship with a human, it could cause widespread confusion and chaos among his own kind. True, her experience with Yuki made her more exalted in vampire society, but that was nothing when considering the idea of a formal relationship.
Also, what would be said when the question of a Kuran heir were to come up? Even if it was proven that vampires and humans could have children, it was unknown as to whether this would apply to a Pureblood vampire. And finally, she knew of what it would mean to Akira. Vampires always drank the blood of the one they loved. It would be too much to force that onto Akira.
So why? Why had she done it despite nothing but problems? She buried her head in her hands as she realised what a screw-up she had made.
"God, what the hell am I doing?" Anju moaned to herself. "What am I? Stupid? Why the hell would I do something so incredibly dumb? I mean, I know lo-" Anju finally stopped her own speech, almost biting her tongue in the process.
What the hell was I just about to say!? Anju screamed at herself within her own mind. Oh God Anju, you dumb dumb dummy! Aaaaaaaarrrgggggh! Her hands scrabbled away at her head, messing up her hair. She breathed, attempting to calm herself down.
"Geez, what am I even doing…" Anju sighed.
"I'd say the same, kiehehehe…" Snickered an unseen individual.
Anju whipped around at the presence of the voice as a shape jumped down before her. She studied the man that had just appeared; frowning at the black leather clothes and cargo jeans. With the long black hair, the brass knuckles and the spiked belt he wore, he could definitely pass for some sort of gangster. However, what really unnerved her were his eyes. They glared yellow; almost like a beast.
"Who are you, and how did you get here?" She asked.
"Huh… Tough questions…" The man chuckled, obviously toying with her. "Well, I walked here? As for who I am, well that isn't any of your concern."
"Why are you here?" Anju asked, wariness creeping over her. She braced herself, getting ready to run at a moment's notice.
"Oh, that. Kiehehe." The man chuckled. "Well, I guess if it was my personal reasons, it'd be to kill every last vampire in this stupid school?"
Anju glared back, appalled at how nonchalant he was when talking about killing someone.
"Eh well, too bad it's not always up to me." He replied. "See, the real reason I'm here is because of you, Anju Cross."
"How do you know my name?" Anju stared in shock.
"Don't underestimate how smart we are." He snickered in response.
Anju quickly ran through the information she had memorised from Yuki, along with all she had learned over the past few months since being captured by the Kraven clan. It was just a guess, but she couldn't deny the possibility. "You're one of them, aren't you? You're from Helsing…"
"Oh?" His eyes gleamed, as if like a child who had just heard good news. "You heard of us huh? Well, I guess this makes the job simple. You either come with me peacefully or…" He raised his hands, balling them into fists. At once, the brass knuckles morphed, their shape now changing. The metal now spread over his entire hand, engulfing them in some sort of black metal. Serrated claws extended out while two red spots appeared upon the back of his hands. Anju watched in alarm as the spots appeared to 'blink' at her.
"What is that?" Anju asked. It was no ordinary Hunter weapon. She stared at the red spots, instinctively thinking that they stared back at her, hungrily.
"Oh, don't worry." The man sneered. "I'll make sure it doesn't eat you."
"Why are you doing this?" Anju demanded.
"Really?" He blinked. "You actually don't know? Kieeeehahahahaha! Oh this is rich! To think no one would tell you anything about what a massive threat you are to humans!"
"What do you mean?" Anju asked. "How am I a threat?"
Without warning, the man rushed at her, faster than she expected. She jumped out of his way, barely avoiding the claws that ended up shearing through a tree right behind her. She scrambled to her feet in alarm as she watched the tree topple over.
"Eh, I'm tired of explaining it…" The man said. "See, it's been so long since I could go out into the field with all the solitary confinement and shit. Apparently some of my co-workers, who shall not be named, don't like my habit of indiscriminate killing. I say, doesn't matter who it is. Any vampire deserves to die."
"You're wrong…" Anju replied. "Vampires and humans are capable of co-existing. Peace is…" She barely finished before he lunged at her again. Anju dodged again, this time the claws slicing off a few strands of her hair.
"Shut up about that peace crap, seriously." The man growled, his previously cheerful sneer now replaced with an annoyed look. "You seriously buy that shit? The only way we'll be at peace is when every last blood sucker dies." Without warning, he attacked again. This time however, Anju was too slow to react. She gasped as he landed a kick right into her stomach, launching her a few feet away and slamming her into a tree.
Anju gritted her teeth as she tried to recover, the pain incapacitating her despite her augmented physique. She slowly stood up, breathing so as to dispel the ache.
"It's just too bad." The man replied as he walked to her. "I really wanted to drown myself in vampire blood. Eh, I guess I'll settle for next time."
Anju's gaze snapped back to him. As she did, she heard the cheers from the concert that was now going on. It seemed Cassandra had finished with her most recent song. She could hear the chants of 'One more!" coming from there.
"Can you hear that?" Anju asked him as she slowly straightened.
"Huh? The hell you blabbering about?" The man frowned.
"Those cheers, they come from both humans and vampires." Anju replied. "They show that despite our differences, we can come together and live as one. It shows that peace is not impossible." She now stared back at him as a hot sensation flowed through her body. "So that's why I'll do everything I can to protect it, from people like you. I won't let you have your way."
The man glared back, obviously affronted by her proclamation. "You know kid, it takes a lot of balls to say something like that to me. I was told not to kill you, but there's nothing about me not giving you pain…" He now widened his stance, spreading his hands apart. It seemed now that he was being serious. "So don't blame me for what happens next."
Anju watched him closely, trying her best to ignore the heat within her. Silently she cursed herself for not having a weapon ready, despite being a prefect meant to help keep security for the festival. It seemed she had gotten too complacent with being titled as Yuki's vessel. Even a knife from a vampire would be useful at this point.
"Alright kiddo…" He smiled with sadistic glee. "I hope you're ready for some pain!" At this, he lunged once more, his claws aimed at her thigh.
Just before the black claws struck her flesh, a shadowy form obstructed its approach. The man blinked in surprise as he observed the sight. The girl he was trying to apprehend now held a rod(?) made from black shadow. He watched slowly as its appearance changed, with a wickedly curved blade extended from one of its ends as it pulsed with a red glow.
"I won't stay on the side-lines anymore…" Anju declared. "And I won't let anyone destroy the world that so many innocent people worked and sacrificed to create." Her hair began to change; segments of her hair changed, leaving red streaks upon it. "If you say you want to destroy all of that…"
Anju now looked up, her eyes now an eerie blood-red. "Then I'll stop you, with everything I have!"