Notes: Thanks to people for reviewing this. Umm, Fortuna, I don't know if this will be an eight page essay... ^^;;

                Richter sent John home after both of them cleaned up. Richter luckily had a spare change of clothes lying around somewhere. Having changed, the teacher strolled into the training grounds to check on the students. His mind was elsewhere though. The third person that he came upon was Travis. Travis, noticing that his eyes seemed distant took the chance to punch Richter.

                Richter snapped back to reality. "What?"

                Travis stood with his hand on the sides of his hips with a smirk. "Caught you off guard, eh?" The boy laughed.

                Richter frowned. "Yes, you did…"

                "That was a strong punch, wasn't it?" Travis beamed.

                Richter frowned again. "It was enough to get me back to attention, but I'm afraid it wasn't that hard. It really didn't pain me so much."

                Travis frowned. "You're just trying to get me back for my rowdiness in class everyday."

                "No, I'm not. You would have hit harder if you hit me with your knuckles. Well, actually, I'm wrong. It's not harder, but it does inflict more pain."

                Travis nodded. "Oh, alright. Can I punch you again?"

                "No. Try the punching bag. I think it absorbs hits much better."

                Travis chuckled. "Well, you're quite the superhuman!"

                Richter smiled weakly. "I have to look at the other students, Travis."

                "Oh, yeah, the other students. Of course. Bye, teacher."

                Richter nodded and headed off to another portion of the room. The rest of the school day was eventless. Even the students noticed that Richter was disturbed by something. They made no comments though, out of respect and returned home quietly when class was dismissed.

                Richter found himself skimming through books in the academy's library.  John's relatives… what had occurred was definitely out of the ordinary. There were lone and dire wolves around the forest areas, but not any that would act by slaughtering or doing whatever had happened to those people. The answer was quite obvious to Richter. The dark prince was most likely once again on the rise. Richter shook his head. The prince never failed to ruin everything or stay banished for long. He always had followers. Someone had resurrected him. An hundred years had not passed yet.

~~~

                Maria Renard sat in her sister's room fidgeting as Annet braided and played with her hair. Maria pouted. "Are you done yet? You've been at this for more than three hours!"

                Annet rolled some more of her sister's hair and pinned it to Maria's head. "No, I'm not finished. It's only been an hour, Maria. Have patience and stop fussing. You asked me to do this since you didn't really know how to be your own hair stylist."

                "But you're sooo slow!" Maria wailed.

                "Shush, sister. I'm almost done. Besides, you wanted your hair to be done for this ball."

                "Ah, Richter will be home soon! I don't want him to see me like this."

                Annet shook her head. "What are you complaining about, Maria? I see him everyday."

                "He likes to make fun of me…" Maria pouted. "OW!"

                Annet grimaced. "Uh, sorry." She had braided part of Maria's hair too tightly. As a result, a bun or braided hair was pinched against Maria's head. Annet unrolled everything and started once again.

                Maria sighed. What was she to do? She had plenty of time to spare. The ball didn't start until the evening, but she didn't want to confront or see Richter, so she had asked her sister to fashion her hair beforehand.

                "Annet?"

                Maria made a face. Why did Richter have to come home so early?

                "Yes, Richter dear? How was work today? You sound different," Annet commented as she worked on Maria's hair.

                Maria blinked. Richter sounded different? What did he usually say…Oh, Annet honey? I love you?... Nah… probably something even cornier than that…    

                "Well…" Richter walked into the room and stopped. "Maria! What are you doing here?"

                Maria frowned. "Well, isn't it a bit obvious? Annet is helping me with my hair!"

                Richter raised an eyebrow. "Well, I suppose it's just my luck that you're here too!" Richter exclaimed sarcastically.

                "Oh, really? Well, the feeling's mutual," Maria replied.

                "The two of you, stop it," Annet interrupted. "Maria, sit still or I'll never finish."

                "Fine!" Maria pouted. "I'm going to a ball tonight! I can forget about you then!"

                Richter stared at Maria. Then, he started laughing. "Oh, Maria, who are you going with? I never thought you to stoop so low. I mean, really… you're already ditching poor Alucard!"

                "He's asleep," Maria said. "I'm lonely. I need to socialize, and I'm not dating anyone, for your information."

                Richter's face became tense again. "He might actually wake up soon," he muttered softly.

                "What was that?" Maria demanded.

                "Oh, nothing. I wouldn't want to ruin your night," Richter replied.

                "Hmph. You're right. You don't want to ruin my night!" Maria shouted.

                "There, I'm done! Finally…with the two of you jabbering all the way to the other side of the country," Annet declared. "The two of you, call a permanent truce, please… Richter, don't shout at my sister that way!"

                "Yeah!" Maria agreed.

                Annet looked at her. "You, don't yell at my husband either!"

                Maria pouted, and Richter smirked.

                "Uh, thanks for the hair style?" Maria picked up a mirror. Her eyes watered. "Oh, Annet!" She hugged her sister. "It's so beautiful!"

                Annet blinked. "You're welcome, sister. Just be careful. Please, I don't think you want to be late for this ball. You still need to suit up."

                "Oh, yes, I do need to. Well, thank you, Annet. Good bye. Hey, Richter…"

                "What?" Richter asked.

                "Bleeehhhh!" Maria stuck her tongue out and ran out the front door.

                Richter sighed and shook his head. "Annet…"

                "You and Maria…"

                "I know… it can't be helped."

                "Perhaps, you need to work on your manners."

                "What?!!"

                Annet smiled and shook her head. "What ails you? You seemed worried when you came home."

                Richter sat down next to Annet on the sofa. He sighed. "Annet, I'm afraid it has just begun."

                Annet frowned. "You mean…he's back?"

                "I don't know for sure, but signs have indicated that he may be resurrected. Something bad happened to John's aunt and uncle. I went to have a look with him today. It was horrible."

                Annet handed Richter a cup of tea. "I was hoping we'd have some peace and quiet to ourselves.  I didn't enjoy being kidnapped last time… and then you disappeared… No one ever told me what happened in that castle that time."

                "Best you don't know. I still feel very ashamed."

                Annet shrugged. "I'd like to know when you're ready to tell me."

                Richter nodded. "Yes." He took a sip of the tea. "I'll start tomorrow morning with some research."

                "Be careful," Annet said.

                "I will." He kissed her.  "I'll be easy tonight and get some rest. It's been a long day."

                Annet nodded. "I'll make us dinner. I'll call you when it's ready."

                "Thanks, Annet." Richter headed upstairs into the study. He opened a drawer in a desk and stared at its contents. The whip that had been passed down for generations. He sighed. Just when he had thought things would quiet and settle down…