Rein had been feeling anxious. She thought it would be okay since her father was the one who rushed to get home, but she would feel better if she see for herself. Her mother did not show it, but then again, she is always worried about Fine. If the goblin truly is in the vicinity, then they would not be able to contact them.

"They'll be fine. Your old man is as strong as the leader." Shade said. He pulled off his hat and brushed off the sand dust. His skin slightly red and he had a look of irritation. "Deserts are the worst places for a vampire to go. This is going to be a pain…"

For the past two weeks, Rein and her parents have been in the desert hunting the sand serpents terrorizing the sand village. It felt like an endless battle. Her parents could have managed it if they could, but her mother's specialty is strength, and her father is agility. They were not always fast enough to defeat one sand serpent and they were at a wits end. Not to mention they have been under the sun for days, so it was getting to them. Finally, reinforcements arrived, but to their surprise, it was Shade. He was not happy to be there for obvious reasons, but he had been a great help during the nighttime. During the day, he would be lookout and cover as much as possible, but even he could not save himself from the unforgiving sun. Just as they were finishing, her father's security goes off and it alerts them about the goblin in the neighborhood. Fine is fully able to oversee herself, but most of her strength relied on her legs. Something she cannot use anymore.

All they can do now is for Truth to reach Fine and hope everything is okay.

Rein rubs her wrist and winces a little. She sprained her wrist during the last moments of battle, but it was due to her impatience. She will have it looked after once she turns in her part of the report.

"Rein?"

"Hm?" Rein turns around and locks eyes with a pair of blue eyes. Two sets of blue eyes actually. Their green hair and floppy lamb-like ears soaked. Rein could not laugh at their situation as she is also in a predicament. From head to toe she was covered in sand while they are soaked in water. From head-to-toe. "Guess we were both sent to missions out of our element."

"Yeah."

"How did your mission go, Auler, Sophie?" Rein asks.

The siblings sighed in response. Auler responds, "It felt never ending. We were dealing with a sea witch and had trouble fighting back because she was using the mere-folk as a shield." Behind him, Sophie was squeezing the water out of her clothes. She looked exhausted, but then again, they all do. "What were you dealing with?"

"Sand serpents. They started pushing us back, so they sent Shade to help out."

Auler made a tired surprised look. "Shade? How did that go?"

"He helped out big time during the night, but barely helped during the day because he would burn up easily."

"They sent us to places where it's clearly out of our element." Sophie finally spoke. "Doesn't this prove how little of us there is?"

"I agree. I feel we've been decreasing lately."

"That's because we are." Auler said. "Not to mention there has been a higher amount of activity. We are being pushed to the bone. At this point, Master Grace will have to recruit more people."

"Recruit?"

"Yeah. It's a rare custom, but we're seriously lacking numbers." Auler rubbed his forehead. "We're losing someone every day and it's getting to the point that's affecting our mentality. The organization is one big family, so it's getting to us whenever there is a death or if someone is injured."

"Mhm." Sophie sighs and smiles tiredly at Rein. "I really hope a solution comes up."

The three continue to chat while Shade and Elsa went inside the commission office to submit the reports. Elsa's uneasiness was starting to get to Shade. When he first arrived, she was the only one to argue because she worried about Fine's safety. He understands why, but they need to give Fine credit. She is not a baby anymore and knows how to defend herself. Not every defense required running.

"I'll be heading out first. Can you make sure Rein goes to the treatment room? She sprained her wrist during the battle." Elsa said.

"Okay." Shade watched Elsa leave the room and rushed to the teleport room. Then he leaves the office and sees Rein still chatting with the siblings. "Oi." They turn to him. "Submit your reports before they see you have energy. You really don't want to get sent on another mission without getting rest." They scurry and run past Shade. He stops Rein. "Make sure you go to the infirmary."

Rein frowns. "I know. I was already planning to." She huffed then leaves him by the door.

Shade shakes his head and goes to the teleportation room. He goes to the "Destination" room and puts in his code before stepping in. After a few seconds, he is welcomed in a small room.

Dark, cool, and clean. He steps out of the room and looks down. There, his little sister Milky, looked up at him with her big blue eyes. Her pink hair reached her shoulders, and she wore a yellow sundress with a white ribbon around her waist.

"Welcome home, elder brother!" She greets him with a big smile. She stepped in to hug her but stops herself after smelling him. Her face scrunches up and she pinched her nose. "Ew! You stink!"

Normally, Shade would be hurt, but even he can smell himself and he wanted nothing more than to take a nice cool bath. "I'll take a bath after reporting back to mother and father." Shade said.

"Father is meeting with someone now, and mother is resting!"

"Oh? Is that right… Then I'll go take a bath."

"Yeah, you stink."

"Milky… You're starting to hurt my feelings." His sister laughed at him then ran away before he can give her a good pound on the head, but he just shakes it off and finds the nearest servant. He made sure to request lavender and chamomile to his bath. He did not want to take any chances and his skin was beginning to bother him. Originally one will go to a healer to help with burns or irritation, but vampires are different.

Vampires are creatures of the night, and healing is used for those under the light. Healing will work on vampires, but it will feel like a thousand needles and ten times worse than the inflicted wound. So, a bath full of healing remedies is recommended more. It does not heal right away, but the burns will feel less irritable and easier to deal with.

Once he had taken his bath and applied a cream remedy, he goes to visit his stepfather.

People found it weird how the two got along like real father and son, but to Shade it was normal. His biological father was his stepfather's right-hand man. He was one of the best and he was best friends with his stepfather. He would hear stories about how they grew up like real brothers and their upmost loyalty to each other. As Shade was growing up, they would often tell him stories and his stepfather became a second father figure, so when he married his mother, it was not like anything changed. He treated his mother and sister with love and respect, and he respected Shade's wishes and filled in the gap from his loss.

Basically, his stepfather is a real father to him and he's thankful to him. Shade opened the door to the study and stood by the door.

A man with soft features, but a scary force hidden behind that delicate smile. The man had long braided pink hair and his blue eyes was shaped like almonds. He was indeed a sight.

"Shade. Welcome home." His stepfather, Oberon, greeted him in the fatherliest way possible. "My goodness. You-" Oberon snorts and tries to cover his mouth, but his laughter stifles through. "Look like shit."

Yep. There it is.

Oberon appeared serious in front of others, but with family he is all about being a little- jokester. He is the typical father, and although not regular among the vampires, he was certainly a unique vampire.

"Yes, yes. Laugh it all up, but I'm only here to check in then I'm going to spend time with Milky." Shade turns back to the door.

"W-Wait! I'll be serious!" Oberon clears his throat and goes back to being professional. Talk about 180… "I have a side mission for you. Think you can manage it?"

"Always. Give it to me after dinner."

"Of course. Make sure to check in with your mother. She's most likely awake now."

"No need to state the obvious."

"Moody as always. I'll join you all shortly."

"Yeah, yeah." Shade closed the door behind himself.

Oberon waited a few more seconds before dropping his smile and looking back at the paperwork. In bold letters read 'Half-blood'. He pinches his nose bridge and leans back in his seat. "Fuck… Why can't we have an era of peace…"

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Huff huff…

Fine was in pain, but she felt numb as well. It was still dark, but she knew everything around her was in chaos. For the past hour, she had been swinging in the dark hitting the goblin. At some point she managed to plunder it with the flashlight. Now her only weapon can no longer be used, and she was very tired of this charade. The gobbling is obviously exhausted as well, but equally stubborn.

'I would've been able to beat him if I had a weapon.' Fine quickly shook her head. It would not matter if she had a weapon or a good knee. Fine's demise is she cannot finish the enemy due to her pacifism nature. It is more she cannot do the finishing blow, but she can weaken the enemy tremendously.

"What's wrong?" Fine asks aloud. "Having second thoughts? I may be in distress, but I'm no damsel." She had to do this on her own. Her family were away and so was Shade. She had no communication to the outside world. The goblin must have thought that if they cut off any power source then they will have the advantage, but he really did choose the wrong house if he was simply trying to attack people. It is still odd, but maybe it was a coincidence that he chose this house in particular?

However, that does not sound right either. They live in the suburbs and, therefore, the houses look the same. Nothing stands out, so there must be more to this.

Suddenly there was not any sound. That set off alarms in Fine's head and if she did not have her guard up before, it intensified more. She waited and listened for anything, but there was not even a heartbeat except for her own. This was making her anxious, and possibly paranoid. If this was the goblin's plan, it is certainly working.

"FINE!"

There was a gush of air behind her and the sound of something crashing to a piece of furniture. Possibly her mom's favorite coffee table, but that's beside the point.

Light came back, and although it was still dark, she was able to visibly see everything. She turned to the doorway and saw a familiar figure. The light of the entrance allowed her to see his silhouette more visibly, so she was able to distinguish the blue hair.

"Dad…" As if a spell had broken, Fine fell to her knees in relief. Only to regret it afterwards because now it felt like her knee was going to burst. The pain went up to her leg and it made it hard to hide the pain.

"Fine!" Her dad runs to her and carefully lifts her off the floor. He carries her outside and settles her on the porch. From there, he studied her thoroughly and hugged her tightly. "I came here as fast as I could. I'm sorry for not coming sooner."

"It's okay. You're here now, so it's fine." Fine glanced inside the house. "Is the goblin…gone?"

"My arrow should've disintegrated monster, so yes. It is gone. I will turn on the emergency lights, so I will have to leave you alone again, but it won't be long. Is that okay?"

"Mm."

Truth kissed his daughter's forehead then goes back inside.

Fine focused on the pain on her knee while she waits, and soon the pain started to go away. It was very much there, but she was glad the pain subdue. Her stomach grumbled and she remembered why she ended up in this situation in the first place.

"Pastries." She muttered under her breath. Her bag of pastries was still leaning against the wall. She was able to reach it and took out the moon pastry. It became Fine's favorite with one bite. It almost made the trouble worth it.

Almost.

The lights come back on, but she focused on the pastry instead.

Truth returns outside. "I'm- What are you eating?"

Fine offers her bag and smiles. "Hungry?"

Before he can decline, Truth's stomach grumbles. "…we'll take while we eat."

That earned a chuckle from Fine.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Shade received a text from Truth that Fine was okay, but with minor injuries. He was relieved she was not too badly injured, but it confirmed that the goblin went to their house specifically. That was odd in its own way.

"Who are you texting?" Milky asks. She peaks to see, but Shade quickly turned off his phone. "Hey!"

"It's rude to look at other people's phones, Milky." Shade scolded.

"But you're my brother!"

"Besides the point." He lays on his back.

"You lazy brother! Play with me!"

Their mother, Moon Malia, giggles at their interaction. "Now Milky, give him a break. He just returned from his mission." She spoke. "He was also worried about Fine."

Mothers. Somehow, they know everything. "Fine? What happened to her?"

"Just a rogue on the loose." Malia glances at Shade apologetically. "I'm sorry you had to go on my behalf. I'm sure you would've rather been there with Fine."

"Your health comes first, mother." Shade said and sat up. "I'm not a babysitter either. I have responsibilities after all."

Malia cups her head and tilts her head. With a heavy sigh, she says, "This son of mine. So dishonest."

"I'll say." A new voice joined. Oberon kisses his wife's cheek and takes a seat beside her.

"Father!" Milky squeals and flops on her father's lap. "Play with me!"

"Haven't we played together this morning?"

"Yes, but you promised to play with me today! Big brother is boring!"

Shade makes a face of betrayal. "You really are aiming to hurt me, aren't you." He said, but his sister ignored him.

Having dinner like humans was unnatural for vampires, but it was an exception for them. It was the only time they can spend time together and share lighthearted conversations. Once dinner was over, Milky fell asleep, so their mother carried her to her room. That left Oberon and Shade.

"I left a file on your desk." Oberon said. "Make it swiftly and return before dawn."

"Understood."

"Be safe, okay? Don't talk to strangers, okay?"

"What am I to you? 5?"

Shade leaves his father, but they both had small smiles on their faces. He passes his mother, but all she said was, "Have a safe trip."

Like a gush of wind, Shade disappeared.

The assignment was simple.

Hunt down a rogue vampire and either eradicate him or turn him in. There was no way he would comply, so Shade always chose the first option. It was a hassle, but it kept people safe.

"This will hurt for a moment." Shade forced the rogue to down a liquid. It is close to what people call Holy Water, but this liquid not only burns the vampire from the side. The effects are also quick. They will turn to ashes within seconds after burning. Ironically this is the easier option.

"You'll pay! Every living being to the scornful organization will PAY!" The rogue growled.

"I don't think you want those to be your last words." Shade said dully.

The rogue grins.

And when they grin, it means it's never good news.

"You're right." He starts burning and screaming. "THE HALF-BLOOD WILL RISE AGAIN! JUST YOU WAIT!" With that, he turned to ash.

Shade stood there momentarily. Till finally he said, "Well shit."

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Hey everyone! This chapter was meant to be longer, but I'm trying something new. I also forgot to mention about the OCs in the previous chapter and forgot to credit the original owners, so I'll credit them right here to make up the short chapter.

Kaguya Aoyama was created by Moonj2300.

Hotaru was created by Ai Koukigyoku.

You can find more details on them on PosXNeg's News chapter 6.

Although they were created a while back for a story I was planning, it never took place so the OCs had never been used. Now with a storyline in mind, I was finally able to put the OCs to action. They were originally 14, but I aged them up a bit for the sake of plot. I don't know if the creators are in the fandom anymore, and I don't know if they remember sending me their OCs in the past, but I hope I'll use them in a way they envisioned them to be. And for sure, I don't know if they still read or write fanfiction anymore, but I do hope everyone who has read my fanfics and dmed me in the past are doing well.

Even if there aren't many people in this fandom as it used to be, it makes me happy that people who watched the anime are still around. I read every review with as much anticipation, so I'll be updating when I can.

Thank you for staying till the end and I hope I'll use the OCs correctly.

- PosXNeg

(Also to my first reviewer of this fanfic, I'm a Shine shipper. I will go down with my ship! And it really does sadden me that this fandom has gotten smaller, but people move on and start joining different fandoms and enjoy other shows. I'll write for this fandom for as long as I can, so it makes me happy to come across someone else in this fandom. :) )