Chapter 20: Shinjuku

{Road to Shinjuku: 1:30pm}

A bump in the road caused Mika to rouse from a strange half-sleep he'd fallen into as he glanced around him, stretching just a bit as he noticed most of the group had dozed off on their long car ride, having to dodge Four Horsemen, and also to get around the parts of the road that were unusable. Sighing, Mika glanced to Kimizuki who was still driving as he noticed that Yuu was half-awake, his eyes barely open as he leaned against the door. The blonde smiled as he leaned his head against the window to think for a moment, taking in the momentary silence as he considered what was going on at current.

Sapphire-blue eyes trailed to the others dosing as he wondered what they dreamed of when they slept, unlike himself, because he barely ever dreamed. Mika hadn't had dreams since he had been brought to live in Shibuya's walls alongside his brother, and had started his rehabilitation. The only thing that happened when Mika fell asleep, was conversations with Fenrir, and memories of his life. His memory during his small nap, had been of Akane in the kitchen of the little hovel they'd called home for four years, she had been peeling potatoes and humming a little tune that he recalled her always singing when she worked or eased the children to sleep at night.

Mika recalled her kind words and her sweet smiles, but now was not the time to draw out painful memories or recall things that were gone, because he knew they would have time for that later only if they worked together and successfully completed this mission. However, even with that thought in mind, Mika couldn't quite shake off the memories of his past, and he wondered what sort of things the others had in their minds as they slept.

"Do I need to remember them now though?"

"Hmm? Did you say something, Hyakuya?" Kimizuki asked as Mika looked to him and shook his head.

"No, I didn't. Anyways, everyone seems to have fallen asleep." The pink-haired teen nodded.

"Yea, your brother is barely awake. I kinda understand that though, the others I guess feel just as drained as he does. Did you have some kind of dream?" Mika shook his head.

"Just remembering the past is all…" Kimizuki hummed.

"No dreams?" he questioned.

"I haven't dreamed since Yuu and I were brought to live in Shibuya…" the oldest of their group looked him over out of the corner of his eye.

"Then, what happens?" he asked as the blonde leaned back in his seat.

"I remember the past… I relive my memories, or talk to Fenrir… but I don't have dreams." Kimizuki sighed.

"I think all of us have that happen sometimes. Maybe you'll have dreams after this war ends," he stated as Mika smiled a bit.

"Maybe… hey, Kimizuki? Can I ask you something?" the pink-haired teen glanced to the other.

"What?" he queried.

"What were your first impressions of us? I know we freak you out, and you thought we were slackers and all, but…" Kimizuki sighed as he looked down and then back to the road.

"If I had to really think about it… when I met your brother, I kind of felt… weird and intimidated. He has very hard eyes… it feels like they pierce right through you and into your soul. Sure, he looks innocent, and all that but… his eyes scare me a bit because of how intense they are. After that? I think my first instinct when I bumped into him was that he'd be easy to deal with… boy was I wrong," he said as Mika smiled.

"Yea, I can guess why you thought he would be easy to handle." Kimizuki glanced to the now sleeping black-haired boy in the seat next to him.

"He's small for his age, like Sangu said, and I guess I even think that now, and keep underestimating him. For such a small kid though, he has one hell of a kick, and his hits are just as bad. What did Lieutenant Colonel Ichinose teach the two of you exactly?" Kimizuki questioned as Mika laughed a bit.

"Honestly? He made sure we could take the hits and dish them out. Not too big of a deal I guess." The other shook his head.

"When he kicked me across the back, I felt like I'd been hit by some kind of heavy object. I know his leg connected with my back, but your brother's not that tall or heavily built," he pointed out as he glanced to Yuu who flinched in his sleep.

"True, but Guren trained us, and even before that, Yuu and I have been through a lot. Guren's training helped strengthen what Yuu could already do." The pink-haired teenager sighed.

"To be honest, the first serious impression I had of the two of you was during the time when Yoichi was possessed. I was shocked by how far both of you were willing to go for someone who wasn't even related to you… the power the two of you expelled, your courage… yea, I still pick on the both of you, and all… but I'm still surprised by all you can do… so… I'm willing to wait and see what else happens," Kimizuki told him as Mika smiled again.

"Well, don't be surprised by us, we're not like most people, and we don't only watch out for ourselves. The people that become our family, we will always look out for them."

As Mika and Kimizuki continued their conversation, Shinoa opened her eyes, and looked at the others who were starting to rouse, Yuuichiro having finally woken up during the midst of his brother and teammate's conversation, whom he was saying something to, and the blonde responded. Shinoa yawned a bit, and glanced to Mitsuba and Yoichi alongside Mika, the four of them having mostly enjoyed the slight peace and quiet for the time being while the group started discussing how close they were getting to Shinjuku, and that they needed to be prepared for the battle to come.

Shinoa looked to the side, out the window, thinking about the changes and what was to come after this battle. Everyone had a chance of not coming back from this mission, and she knew that all too well, as she had been given the information that four Nobles were said to be in Shinjuku, and her thoughts began to cluster on what would happen with Yuuichiro. She remembered the first time they'd met, and how the black-haired boy used to scare her to the point that she froze in terror. Those emerald eyes haunted her, gave her the sensation of how powerful and emotional his eyes were; however, now-a-days, she had become accustomed to Yuuichiro, and how the oppressiveness of his energy didn't bother her anymore, his brash nature was just part of who he was, and she had fallen in love with him, and he returned it. So, why was she recalling this? Because of that tiny chance that she was afraid would happen.

"Shinoa?" the girl looked to him and was met with those deep green eyes looking at her.

"Hmm?" the black-haired boy looked her over.

"You okay?" Yuu asked.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking." He shrugged.

"No problem. I was just wondering what had you so spaced out," he stated as she smiled.

"Nothing really, I was just dreaming." The boy rose an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" he inquired.

"I'll be alright, Yuu, promise." He nodded slowly.

"If you say so," he stated as Kimizuki laughed a bit.

"Love birds…"

"You must be a glutton for punishment." The teen looked to Shinoa who held up the retainer for her weapon.

"Shinoa I…."

"I am going to slice you up…." She said.

"NOT IN THE CAR SHINOA!" both Mika and Yuu jumped to stop her and the girl sighed when her boyfriend gripped her wrist. Shinoa couldn't help it – even though he was a Naturopath – Yuu had an instant calming effect on her.

"Alright, I'll be nice," she said. The two brothers let her go and Kimizuki felt relief flood him.

"Thank God…" they slumped in the seat, and Kimizuki kept driving with a pale face.

"I've never been so grateful for a Naturopath's ability to calm someone," said Yoichi. Yuu sighed as he glanced at the area they were driving too.

"How much further is Shinjuku?" Kimizuki glanced in the rearview mirror at the group in the back seat.

"Well seeing as if we had walked we still wouldn't be twelve miles off we're fairly close – another hour or so," he said.

"Okay." Yuu glanced at them.

"And please don't say are we there yet in the next ten minutes," he stated in a half-hearted voice. The group laughed at his statement as they settled themselves in for the remaining hour of their ride.

{Shinjuku: 2:20pm}

Smoke and ash choked the air alongside upheaved dirt and gravel that coated the air alongside blood that had started running through the streets, and screams rent the air. Akane didn't honestly think that a war against human beings would ever be this bad, or that vampires and humans would be fighting almost like wild animals. However, the Moon Demon Company was handling themselves quite well, but that had all changed with the helicopters had arrived, and the missiles were fired.

Akane stayed away from the main fight with the head of the Moon Demon Company's units, as Ferid had told her to stay out of the battle as best as possible, and she had listened for the first time in four years. If anyone from the Vampire Extermination Unit got a hold of her, she would have no time to tell them that she was the sister of two people in their care and she had been turned against her will. It would take too much time to say those words, and they would only be confused as they killed her.

"I have to stay out of it for as long as I can, but I also have to prevent Ferid from knowing what I'm planning to do. If I don't find a way to speak to the leader of the Moon Demon Company, then I'm of no use to them… please… please let me find someone who will listen to me!"

The streets of Shinjuku were nothing but a wasteland of a war that was tearing its way through the city like an infectious virus. Akane hated the carnage, she hated the evil smiles on the vampire faces as they filled their bellies with blood of people who fought for their right to live. She couldn't stand the thought of having to pretend to be on their side much longer. Yuu and Mika were her family not the greedy blood sucking fiends that she had been forced to live with for the last four years. Akane took in the sight of everything around her, and huffed, knowing that there was nothing she could do at current, at least, until she could find someone who could help her as she felt a tear fall down her cheek, worry filling her as she considered that this battle of wits could get the best of her.

"Hey, Akane? Remember when you told me I could change how our lives are?"

"Of course, I do Yuu, why do you ask?" a small smile coming to his features.

"Because, I thought about it… and I'm going to find a way… to stop them, and one day, all of us will be able to see the sun again… promise."

An Army member ran towards her, and Akane slashed through them, blood splashing across the ground as she bit the inside of her cheek painfully. It hurt so much, she hated having to kill without reason, but she had things to do, and in order to complete her own mission, Akane had to stay alive. Therefore, as soon as a few people were taken down, she dove back into the nearest alleyway, hiding behind rubble as she took in a deep breath, glancing down to her bloodstained hands as she hoped she could succeed, but also, by some miraculous chance, find her brothers and that they'd be okay, and understand.

"No! I can't leave you behind too, I can't!"

A sob worked its way up into her throat, and she cried, wondering what they would think of their sister having become a vampire, one of the monsters that had put them through hell for four years. However, she had come to far, and she needed to continue, she'd come too far, and there was no reason to stop now, even if everything was falling down around her. Akane knew then, and there that no matter what, she needed to do and that no matter how much self-loathing was settled upon her, it wouldn't change, and she would keep fighting until it was over.

"I'm not running away." With resolve, she took in a deep breath, and dove back into the fray.

{Streets Outside of Shinjuku: 2:45pm}

The group in the car heading towards Shinjuku had swapped several topics off and on to pass the time. Shinoa had devised a strategy for them once they entered the city, Mika and Yuu were asked to prepare themselves to use their abilities to stave off the death toll and Shinoa had once more warned Yuu not to engage his Psychometry gift unless they ran across a Noble who wouldn't leave them be. The rest began making preparations, while Shinoa felt her stomach turn into a knot. She knew what it meant – something was going to happen.

"Please let us survive."

They continued driving and as they started to get closer to the gate of Shinjuku a loud crashing noise filled the area around them. Sufficiently rattled by the noise the group began searching for what the source was. At first it was an assumption that it was some Horseman of John getting closer – and that consisted until it got louder and Mitsuba felt a knot twist in her chest.

"This isn't good," she said.

"Why? What's going on?" she looked at the others.

"That banging noise, we're getting closer," she stated. Mika glanced to his brother who rolled the window down and instantly was hit with a strong scent that if focused on would be easy to pinpoint.

"Its smoke – something's on fire up ahead." The group rounded a corner.

"We'll be there in just a…..what the hell is that?!" their eyes trailed to the top of Shinjuku and fear filled them.

"The city is under attack," answered Yoichi.

"Is this what Guren meant when he said that we needed to be here?" Yuu and Mika nodded as their bodies tensed.

Not far from them the group took note of the figure walking forward. Kimizuki began to stop and Yuu tapped into his gift to see further ahead – cloaked in white with a black insignia on the right shoulder of a half-cloak, the figure walked forward steadily hoping to catch them off guard but for someone who had grown up distinguishing the difference between low class hooded vampires and Nobles it was by no means something that would be over looked by him or Mika.

"NO DON'T STOP!" Panic grew within them as Yuu set his electric green eyes on the person before them.

"What are you doing?" Yuu kept Kimizuki's hand from stopping the car.

"Don't slow down! Hit him! That guy's a noble!"

Kimizuki took in a deep breath as he pushed the gas pedal and put the gear in forward before they grabbed the handles to their doors, and pushed falling out in a tumble. The group sat up only to see the vampire stop the car with a single hand. It went flying towards Yuu and Shinoa who scattered while the others prepared themselves for a fight. The group managed to summon their weapons and prepare for the fight that was coming. Shinoa glanced at Yuu who settled his eyes on the man while his body tensed as he prepared to draw his sword with Mika right next to him. They were scattered far enough to know that they were in grave danger. As they prepared for a fight Yoichi drew his bow.

"Eat this!" the bow let lose five arrows and the others prepared for what would happen next.

"My sword, gain power from my blood." The man drew a Spanish style sword and blocked the arrows sending a tremor through them as they realize how outnumbered they were.

"No way!" Yoichi's exclamation only drew greater attention to the threat as he hit the ground.

A torrent of smoke and red light few at him as he looked up. Yuu had called his name alerting Shinoa and Mitsuba who used their weapons to block the hit and redirect it to an abandoned building not far from them. The force causing the two girls to flinch in pain as the crash resounded with the others from inside the building.

"That is something, he's strong," Shinoa said as the group began to get together.

"What do we do?" Yoichi stood and Shinoa looked at them.

"Listen up! Stay in formation he is wielding a First-Class weapon. No one attacks him alone!"

In an instant the group was alerted to motion – Shinoa looked behind her in shock as the Noble came closer to her and posed to strike. There was a single sound of a step hitting the ground before sparks shot off as the blade was deflected and sent flying away from them. Between Shinoa and the noble stood Yuu who had his sword raised in defense as he wrapped an arm around Shinoa's waist and slid back at a quick pace. The girl stared at him as his eyes narrowed. The noble stepped back with a jump, gripping his wounded hand as he looked the black-haired boy over. He smiled a bit and laughed as Yuu kept his grip on Shinoa momentarily.

"Hey, you're pretty good for a human," he said. Yuu removed his arm from around Shinoa's waist and posed his sword for an attack. His eyes lighting up, and his teeth being bared as he nearly growled at the man.

"Shut up!" he bared his fangs at the man whose eyebrows shot into his hairline in shock.

"Oh… I see… a Psychometric user. Interesting, who are you exactly?" Yuu kept his eyes forward, and looked at the others as they prepared their weapons.

"You guys okay?" he asked.

"Shinoa?" Mitsuba glanced her way as the group tried to grasp the fact that the vampire knew a Psychometry user when he saw one. It was enough to send both Mika and Yuu reeling despite their stances that left them prepared to fight.

"I'm fine…" she closed her eyes momentarily before looking at the Noble.

"Yuu and Mika are our best fighters – Yuu can still use his Psychometric gift, it seems like he's steady for now. If we balance in intervals between their attacks and ours we should be able to overpower him. With them on point and us covering them we should be able do this… we can't under estimate his abilities though."

As if summoned by her thoughts two women fell from the sky dressed in white as well. One with short deep blue hair and the other a busty blonde. Instantly Shinoa knew that her plan had just gone through the window. Yuu could maybe keep up with one noble with their help but three was something she doubted any of them could do even as a group.

"This is bad…." Things had taken a turn for the worst at that point.

"What now?" Shinoa looked at Yuu and she bit her lip.

"Say, I didn't get your name Psychometric kid," said the Noble.

"Oh? A Psychometric user? That's different, the green-eyed boy, right? I was told by one of the people who reported to us from Harajuku that a boy with green eyes and black hair was the one who gave them such a hard time…." The blue haired girl giggled at the blonde's statement.

"Then they were all wiped out!"

"Really? I gotta say kid you have some power if you could do that!" he stated.

"Shut the hell up!" Mika looked to his brother.

"Yuu! Don't!" the red-haired vampire smiled wickedly.

"Yuuichiro? Is that your name?' the boy posed for an attack.

"Who are you?" asked Shinoa.

"I am Crowley, the thirteenth progenitor here under orders from our beloved Queen Krul Tepes." He gave a theatrical bow and Yuu snarled at him.

"What do we do now? Retreat?" Shinoa rose her scythe for a fight.

"Getting out of here would be the best idea. But I doubt these three will let us do that," she said.

"Then what's the plan?" Mitsuba glanced at Mika who was near his brother on her left with Yuu on his left and Shinoa on the katana user's right. Shinoa could only think that this was madness, pure unrestrained madness. None of them were going to survive this and Shinoa knew that Yuu didn't have the strength to face Crowley without hurting himself, but she knew that Yuu would use his gift if he had to in order for them to survive, but to keep up and assist in the strain they would push their own boundaries.

"We'll fight at full strength and let the demons nearly take us over. If we don't, we die. But, that still might not be enough," she said.

"We might not survive… but… we are soldiers wasn't that what we knew from the start?" Mitsuba kept her hands firm on her weapon. However, Mika was the one to notice his brother's borderline insane smile.

"Okay fine, if that's how it's gonna be. Just know that I'm not going to let any of you die. That's the reason I fought for so much power. None of you are dying on my watch. Right Asuramaru?" the blade glinted wickedly. They prepared for battle and then the blue haired girl spoke up.

"Um, Lord Crowley? What are you doing wasting your time with these humans?" the blonde smiled softly.

"The seventh progenitor is waiting for you at the front lines." Crowley looked at the humans.

"Hmm? Ferid wants to see me? I probably shouldn't keep him waiting. Pity, things were just starting to get interesting," he said as he looked at Yuu who narrowed his eyes.

"That human is of no concern. I'm sure you'll see his and the other's corpses on the battlefield." Crowley smirked.

"I doubt it… he's not like the humans I've faced before. Hmm… very well, I suppose this can wait until later. I'll let you all go today, but next time we meet I'm draining every drop of your blood," he said.

"What?" Yuu kept his eyes forward and only saw a flicker as a hand touched the center of his back near his shoulder blades and his senses went off the deep end with telling him he was in danger.

"So long for now…." Crowley leaned closer to his ear and Yuu tensed as did Mika.

"You son of a…"

"Sweet little seraph." With that he and the two women vanished leaving the others shaking in their wake. With them gone everyone's legs nearly went out from under them. Shinoa hit the ground and Yuu tensed as realization hit him that they were no match for the Nobles – at least not at this level of strength. He heard Shinoa let out a sigh of relief as the others began growing closer to them while he kept himself rooted in anxiety. That shouldn't have happened – they were so close to losing everyone again.

"We're… okay… we don't have to fight…." He heard her voice but couldn't find it in himself to stop his internal organs shaking in tension or his heart racing.

"That arrogant jerk!" Mika snapped. The others looked at him as Yuu gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. Even though he had lowered it he was still terrified of what he'd felt, the sensation of dread and fear – he despised it.

"What a bastard! Treating us as if we were his play things…." Shinoa slowly stood as Mitsuba looked at them.

"Pull yourselves together. We need to get out of here before they start having second thoughts. Let's meet up with the Shinjuku Units," she said. The others started to walk and Yuu gritted his teeth while Mika did his best to reign in his own anger.

"Damn it! This is all wrong! We have cursed gear we're supposed to be as strong as he is!" Shinoa felt her eyes soften as she walked closer to Yuu and placed a hand on his shoulder. The boy jolted before slowly relaxing.

"Well, since you have the Black Demon Series. You could always use some curses – that'll help the two of you get closer to his power level." Yuu tisked at that.

"Then why haven't you taught us any?" Mika looked at the periwinkle haired girl and felt his tension rise up.

"I could…but what good would is it if you or Mika are the only ones who can defeat a powerful vampire? I'd probably be killed while you fought, Yoichi, Mitsuba, and Kimizuki – they'd just end up dying too. That's why we have to work together, all of us have to keep training so that we fight as a unit of equals," Shinoa told him.

"We're improving…." Yoichi said smiling.

"Yuu?" the boy turned to face her.

"What?" she smiled to him.

"I was happy to hear you ask about retreating. And there's something else I have to say…." He looked to her and she walked forward before wrapping he arms around his waist and putting her forehead to his chest.

"Shinoa…." He was surprised by her actions. She looked up at him with slightly teary eyes and he could do nothing but feel relief at the fact that she was okay – shaken up – but okay.

"Thank you for saving my life earlier Yuu. It's like Lieutenant Colonel Guren said about you and Mika – you care about your friends," she stated.

"It was nothing…don't worry about it…." He placed a hand on her head and the others gave one another a look while Mitsuba averted her eyes to Mika who was smiling softly.

It was as they started to turn towards Shinjuku that they saw the smoke rising, the clouds billowing outwards in black torrents. They stood together looking at utter hell in their path – if they were to receive a test of their trust in one another as a team they were about to be given the ultimate one. Yoichi glanced at the five others and gulped just a bit as he prepared himself internally for battle while the others stood looking at the scene before them in questioning. Were they really ready for this?

"You know… I'm kind of ready to go back to Shibuya," Yoichi said.

"I hear ya…but right now it's not an option." The others nodded.

"If Shinjuku falls, Shibuya is next," stated Mika.

"Remember Kimizuki – your sister's there. Keep that in mind when we're fighting." Shinoa smiled to Yuu as the rest of them began their walk towards the gate.

"Let's get moving." Their footsteps were steady as they started to get closer to the gate.

"We won't lose Shinjuku," said Yuu as they were set into the shadow of the gate.

"Right!"

Over the gate on the other side where a fire rose and bangs from explosions filled the air and black smoke covered the area from the sky making the air harder to breathe. Little did they know that true hell was awaiting them.

{Within Shinjuku's Walls: 3:14pm}

The metallic click of chopper blades met their ears as the Moon Demon Company tried to keep the vampires out of the city with the enchanted bows and arrows. It wasn't as strong as the Cursed Gear, but it would work. Orders were given, and arrows flew into the sky like rain drops and destroyed at minimum four of the six choppers. Another wave was already coming.

"Stay focused, the second wave is coming! Enemy aircraft as already made it into the south-west region. If they manage to break through here to Shinjuku is lost! But we're not going to let them do that! They've under estimated our will. No one gets past us!" luck had not befallen the army as the sound of a jet engine screeched through their ears.

The jet began flying through the sky and the group of archers prepared for an attack. Manning the cockpit were two vampires that only had sneers of delight upon their faces as they aimed at the wall. The aircraft took a nose dive and went straight through the center of the wall, shaking the ground the archers stood upon. Stone began to collapse, and people scattered as the vampires ran through and promptly exploded causing the archery group to panic even further. From within the wall began to crumble and smoke, ash, and rubble fell around the inner line of it leaving the defenses of the human race in ruins. People from within grew tense as the smoke and fire spread, but also began to clear leaving in its wake a nightmare as white cloaked figures walked.

"Oh wow! Am I good or what? This wall is trashed!" said the purple haired vampire.

"You shouldn't act so cocky Lacus. You were ten feet to the right of the target." Lacus only smiled.

"And yet all the livestock are still dead!" screams developed as the group of vampires descended upon the city of Shinjuku. Within the wall, hidden in the shadows and covered in soot and blood on her cloak was Akane who shook herself out and glared at the two who had destroyed the wall.

"I'll kill them!" she swore to herself as she began her walk – blending into the crowds of vampires.

On the eastern end of the wall, the sounds of the crashes and shouts had continued to ring out around the area, smoke billowing as soldiers scattered around, sirens blaring alongside speaker systems, warning people of the attack and getting people into formation as the Vampires began flooding into Shinjuku. As the chaos unfurled, Shinoa's unit entered into the city, seeing the panic rushing around the area. They ran after the officers as they asked where the Vampire Extermination units were, and the group looked around them, preparing for the battle that they were now entering into.

"We've been hit! Prepare! The western wall has fallen!"

"Shinjuku is the Demon Army's second biggest city! How could we let the vampires past their defenses?"

"What's going on?" Yuu asked as they kept running.

"Didn't you hear what they just said? The vampires are attacking!" they were stopped as a missile flew into one of the towers. Shaking the ground and leaving them stunned.

"Choppers?"

"MISSILES!"

The group dove for safety in a hallway as a missile flew towards then and destroyed the walk way they had previously been standing on. Their cloaks provided necessary covering of their mouths and eyes to keep the ash out of their airways. They rode out the first attack and Kimizuki stared after the explosion.

"Oh hell! This place is turned into a war zone," he said.

"The Lieutenant Colonel warned us about this…vampires from the Kanto region are trying to annihilate our military operations." Yoichi looked up as Mitsuba explained. A glint from

clock tower told him that there were archers there. One of the choppers were hit exploding seconds later.

"Are those cursed gear? The same as my bow?" he asked in out loud thought.

"No, they're not nearly as powerful. Their simplified versions of your weapons, their called enchanted gear instead of cursed."

"Look out!" Yuu called their attention to the chopper that was coming for them.

Bullets went flying and Mika deflected the bullets to his best ability with his blade. One went flying off nearly hitting the others when a clear teal tinted shield went up and it bounced creating a ripple effect. Mika looked to Yoichi who was smiling in relief that his shield ability worked. However, it dropped only a second later and they went running to a tunnel to avoid being hit by the bullet.

Yuu looked out the other side with Shinoa next to him. The vampires were decimating them. However, the choppers were not helping matters. His eyes lit up bright green and he locked onto one of the choppers that were hovering near by, but with the smoke he couldn't make them out clear enough to strike with Asuramaru. He blocked the gust of ash for Shinoa with his cloak as the chopper took off only to deposit several vampires on the bridge they were on. Out of hiding ran a man in glasses who rose a normal katana for a signal to prepare for battle.

"Come on! We have to help them!" Mitsuba said as they ran out of the area with their weapons activated.

A fullscale fight bloomed on the area as they clashed with the vampires. Their hoods and the weapon style let them know they were weaker – but without a curse on their weapons the others would be slaughtered. Mika flew at a group of them using Fenrir to slice through them as if they were nothing as ash flew into the air alongside sparks of metal clashing with metal. Yuu locked blades with one vampire and flew through the next while the others made work of them. Shinoa tossed two away and Mitsuba rounded on two and instantly sliced through them. The sound of bullets flying caught their attention and Yoichi tried to produce his shield and felt it flicker before vanishing.

"No! Not right now!" he ducked as Mitsuba blocked the bullets with her axe.

"Quick! Yoichi! Bring down that chopper!" he nodded.

"Right!"

He aimed a single arrow at the chopper as bullets flew faster and a vampire flew in his direction only to be sliced into by Shinoa as another came from below and he was stopped by Yuu. The arrow was shot at again and hit its target making a plume of smoke appear as it went down. The others took in a few deep breaths as Kimizuki, Yuu, and Mika went after the other vampires with a shout. Blood flew into the air and the last of the vampires fell.

"We're clear over here!" Yuu called as the other three relaxed and the man in glasses walked over.

"We really appreciate your help. That was intense, I'm with Shinjuku Security Unit. Well the third platoon to be exact. Corporal Nagai. And you must be a Vampire Extermination Unit, right?" the man asked.

"Moon Demon Company." Shinoa's clarification was enough to make the group stare.

"Whoa! You gotta be kidding! I guess our luck hasn't run out yet," he said as he gave a thoughtful.

"Something about this guy makes my skin crawl," Yuu thought as Asuramaru agreed with him.

"Men, get transport ready for these soldiers!" the man said to his troops as they got to work on their orders.

Amongst the noise and crashes the group of six now were listening to Nagai speak as they headed further into the central area where they could get more information and know where Guren's group was to head there; however, despite listening, Yuuichiro couldn't find a means to put much trust in Negai's words as something about him continued to make him feel uncomfortable.

"The vampires managed to blow a hole in the western defensive barrier just before you showed up. We've got a counter attack squad holding them off right now. But who knows how long they'll last," Nagai said.

"Our tactical situation is much worse than I expected." Nagai looked at Shinoa.

"Yes, it's been a nightmare from the start. Can your group rest and reinforce our defenses? The added support would be a big help," he said.

"You don't have to convince us. That's the whole reason we're here." Nagai laughed as he glanced at he led them to a truck that would take them to where they needed to be.

"I guess you right," he said. Two men walked up to him and they paused to see what they needed of Nagai.

"Corporal Nagai, the vehicle is prepped and is ready to go!" Nagai nodded.

"I'll take them as close as I can to the western defense – remain on high alert." They saluted him and then let the others past only giving a side long glance at Yuu and Mika who merely cast a glare at the two.

"Hmm… I'll hold off on skinning him for now…" Yuu thought only to receive a whine from Asuramaru. He sighed and looked at the others as Nagai continued speaking.

"Alright let's get moving." The others only remained quiet as they tried to get their minds sorted.

{Western Defense Area: Hospital Roof: 4:27pm}

Gazing from the roof top of the building with a small telescope was one Guren Ichinose who was currently keeping an eye out for some sign of the vampire's leader. He suspected that like him he wouldn't be far from his troops and decided to scope him out.

"Well looky here! It's already started – I guess the vampires aren't pulling any punches…" he said to himself as he scanned the vampires that were gathering the clothes of their dead or feasting of the dead of their forces.

"Now which one of them is the commander…." Hs telescope veered towards an arch way that would have served as a stop sign in the walkway.

Atop it was two figures. one standing, the other sitting – one without a hood and the other with one. He zoomed in to find the hooded one to be female while the other was a silver haired male who wore a pleased expression as he watched the others take their time. His eyes landed on the face of the commander and then with a smirk the silver haired vampire looked to him.

"What? You gotta be kidding! He can see me from that far away?"

"Um Lieutenant Colonel Guren?" his eyes were focused on Sayuri who was walking forward.

"What?"

"You don't seem to be concerned about this fight," she said.

"Ha… it's not like I'm just slacking off up here Sayuri. I'm keeping tabs on the vampire commander and enemy troop movements in case the bastards decide to target this outpost as well." He paused as he looked behind her.

"Damn, I should have known, speaking of the devils, watch out," he said. Sayuri froze as one of the hooded vampires came up behind them. She turned in panic only for a flash of red hair to fly by her as bright sparks flew off of the person's gloves and the vampire was sent flying into the wind as ashes.

"Took you long enough, Mito!" the girl flew her long red hair over her shoulder from the ponytail it was in.

"Are you saying I'm late? You're the one who called me here on such short notice, so what's with the big hurry?" she asked.

"Guren sir! We've returned from our mission." Mito looked to the black haired Shigure.

"It looks like things are going to hell fast," Guren said.

"What do you propose we do about it? There's no way the Extermination Squad can defeat so many of them, can they?" they looked to Goshi and he sighed.

"Great, the whole squad's finally here. Firstly though, Shigure, how are Yuu and Mika's team doing?" he asked.

"They did well. And are present."

"Really, well done. They'll be a good addition to the reinforcement team," he stated.

"Wait, Hyakuya? Both of them? Why are you sending them into this war zone sir?" Mito expressed concern, as she had hoped Guren would have ordered the children to return to Shibuya to help with potential evacuations should Shinjuku fall.

"Because, we're going to need help, and unfortunately, we're going to have to rely on some special assistance," Guren said as the others gave him a startled look.

"Lieutenant Colonel! You're not seriously considering that – "Guren nodded.

"If we have to, then we will. I've already given Shinoa the pills, and one of them is designed to trigger it. I won't order them to take it unless needs be. In this case, he is our secret weapon," he explained as the others sent him worried looks while Shinya looked down.

"Guren, I don't like the idea of using that boy to do this. We all know from accounts of you, and Sayuri how horrible that was for him, and how dangerous. That was three years ago almost, so how much stronger do you think Yuuichiro will be at almost sixteen? Having been trained, given a Black Demon series Cursed Gear, and has been tapping into two of his gifts?" Guren sighed at this.

"I hate myself for having to do it… but the Seraph of the End is our only chance of stopping them for now. I have trusted each and every one of you with this secret, I have asked you if you would stay loyal to me and help me protect those two… all of you said yes, so are you going to back out now? When I'm going to need your help the most?" he inquired.

"No, I just have concern about the mental and emotional effects this could have on everyone, especially Yuuichiro. You never warned them about the truth." Guren nodded.

"I had no time. If they're comrades, if they're friends and family, then this won't matter. I told them we're all family here, and it's the truth. Besides, the battlefield is the best place to grow stronger as long as you don't end up dead. Okay everyone…" the group looked to him as he turned his attention to his team.

"It's time we join this fight. Pretty sure I know where to find the Vampire Commander, this might be over fast if we take the leader's head."

{…}

And if I'm lost in the worlds shadows…

{…}

Author's Note: Whew, I had to set up a few different things, spread out the differences in the chapters, and how some content has been completely removed. I hope you guys enjoy this story, and let me know what you think!

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.