I checked over the page once more and added another document to the stack awaiting Zero's signature. I scanned the room and my eyes at first lingered on Kaito who was busy drinking tea and doing paperwork of his own. Though we had resolved whatever it is we wanted to call it, the words we slung at each other still stung, albeit less so compared to before. I couldn't help but remember what I had said when I looked at him, but thankfully I wasn't as anxious as earlier. We were both excruciatingly stubborn and I knew that it wouldn't be anytime soon that one of us would willing delve into the subjects of our harsh truths the other night.

My gaze then settled onto Zero's back. He surprised me. The fact that he was here by his own volition, being prepped, and being groomed to be the next head, was surprising. I still wasn't sure if I fully trusted him yet or not. He had proven himself to be a bit different than I expected, he was diligent, and from what I've observed, so far under control.

A quick knock sounded at the door and Kaito swung over to open it, one of the guards popped his head in, "We have an emergency hunt, it's urgent." The guard handed Kaito a file which he quickly skimmed and then gestured at us, "let's go."

We all shuffled to get up and I patted my side to make sure I had my gun on me, my heart then stilled for a quick second, the air had shifted. I could tell the others sensed it too, a vampire had entered headquarters. We all knew of the current situation with the Kurans, but I hadn't received any word of the situation since the princess's capture. It wasn't uncommon for us to bring in vampires for questioning, but it wasn't a frequent occurrence either, though now it seemed to becoming one.

I put that thought aside and followed Kaito and Zero through the halls, vaguely paying attention to the conversation they were having in front of me.

"Don't pull that lone wolf crap again," Kaito said, reaching up to tousle Zero's hair.

Zero elbowed him away and frowned.

We turned the corner and saw Cross leading the vampire we had sensed entering the premises, Yuki Kuran. I quickly glanced at her, aware of her current situation and looked away, not wanting to let her become more of the spectacle she already was in this place. In front of me Zero was also pointedly ignoring her presence, as was she to him.

As we walked past them, Cross called out to Zero, "Kiryuu-kun, where do you think you're going?" He seemed almost a bit frantic.

Zero turned around calmly, "I have to go on a hunt, it's urgent," and then turned back, walking away.

I started to follow until Cross called out to me as well, "Yagari-san, could you please stay behind? You're needed." I stopped and sighed, the two of them looked at me and Kaito raised a brow. I shrugged and motioned for them to go, "It's fine, you guys go on ahead." Kaito gave me another look but he and Zero took off, leaving me to deal with whatever Kaien Cross had cooked up for me.

Reluctantly, I turned around and went along with Cross and his guest. Hunting would have to wait.

"What do you think about this little lady?" one of the hunters near me asked his buddy.

His friend, a hunter I recognized but couldn't name, put a closed fist up to his chin and thought out loud, "Hmm, in comparison to the other two purebloods I've seen, she's kind of average for a vampire… which is actually pretty creepy."

"Shut up," I briskly said to the two men and turned my attention back to the mini trial Cross was conducting. I didn't disagree with them. Her almost human-ness was relatively off putting. She was definitely a vampire in my eyes, but she gave off a different feeling compared to typical pure bloods. That didn't mean I wanted to hear them rable them about it though.

"Well then, Yuki Kuran," Cross continued and brought his interwoven hands closer to his face, "You say you know nothing about Kaname Kuran's whereabout nor his motives. Are you sure?"

She looked at him clearly and withheld herself for a moment before she replied, "...I won't tell you anything."

I inwardly rolled my eyes and made a pointed look at Toga who stood next to Cross with a frown plastered on his face. It was expected that Yuki Kuran wouldn't willing give anything up on her precious brother, but I guess Cross still had to try.

"Given that you are the younger sister and the fiancee of the leader of all the purebloods, and that in the past, the Kurans were the kings of the vampires, what do you think are your brother's reasons for his conduct?" He looked grim, eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze directed downwards and anywhere besides Kuran. This must've been difficult for him.

"Please, don't interfere," Kuran said cooly.

"Yuki…" Cross was careful with his question, "Do you know about our agreement with Kaname-kun-with the Kuran head?"

"... The vampires…" she paused, "would maintain a peaceful order with humans, and ban hostile attacks, as well as cooperate with the association. Such is the model the representatives aimed for…"

Kuran nodded and went on, "Well, I suppose you do know, Kaname-kun made a promise with us, on the basis of Kuran blood. As his sister you are also under the obligation to fulfill that promise," Cross moved his gaze upwards and looked directly at her, "since you have the same Kuran blood."

"Yes," she responded.

"As an agent of your leader, if you do not attain the support of the vampire aristocracy it is likely that another pureblood will rise to power. I don't know what happened before but, Kaname-kun's disappearance is already well-known, that much is obvious. The vampires who have always been looking for a chance to do evil made their move immediately." Cross pushed his glasses up and recentered his focus on Kuran, "The same unfortunate things happened when the senate was terminated… it's regrettable, but we need to hurry up and take action."

The corners of Yuki Kuran's mouth was slightly turned downwards but she didn't betray any specific emotion to the facts that Cross had just laid out for her.

"Okay then, for now, think about it Yuki. You may do as you like here, so-" Cross gestured at me, "Yagari-san, please come here."

I stepped forward and stood in front of Cross's desk, "Yes?"

"I'm going to need you to be… a chaperone of sorts."

Before I could get a word in, Toga interrupted, "No, why does she need to do it? Get someone else."

Cross leaned forward and rested his chin onto his hands, "I told Yuki that she may do as she like, but I… I think it will be for the best if Seina were to watch over her for the time being. Yuki will be more at ease with a girl around the same age as her. She can do as she like but-"

"But I'm here to make sure she doesn't create a larger mess than the one her brother has already created."

Cross nodded, "Thank you for understanding."

"I still don't think-" Toga started again.

"It's fine." I reached out and gripped his shoulder, "It'll be fine."

He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself before he did. Toga patted my hand and then left, the grimace on his face worsening before he went.

"Please take Yuki to the guest chambers. I don't think you'll be needing these, but here," he slid me a key and a pair of sealed handcuffs, "just in case. And thank you again Seina, for doing this," In a quieter voice he continued, "for looking after my daughter."

Nodding, I grabbed the cuffs and key and stuffed them in my jacket pocket.

"Yuki," he looked up at her and motioned towards me, "This is Seina Yagari. She'll be accompanying you for the time being."

She mirrored my previous response and silently nodded as well. Making eye contact with Kuran, I motioned for her to follow me and together we excited the trial room. As we got further down the hallway she spoke up.

"You're Yagari-sensei's sister right?"

I briefly glanced back at her, "Yes I am."

"Ah I see… if it's permitted, could you please take me to Aido-senpai? I need to see him."

I bit my lip and frowned, this was a chaperoning job wasn't it? I wasn't to be a prison guard. "You're free to do as you like Kuran-san. I can take you to him." I changed directions and led her down the maze of halls to where we were keeping Hanabusa Aido.

"He's in here," I said, opening the door to his room, "take as long as you like."

She entered and then quickly popped her head back out, offering me a small smile, "Thank you Yagari-san," and then went back in.

I left the door open and leaned against the adjacent wall, but blocked out their conversation due to either their privacy or my genuine disinterest I didn't know. I mulled over the position I had now been so abruptly thrust into. From what I've gathered about Yuki Kuran, this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Though seemingly well meaning from what I've observed and have heard from others, I had a feeling that dealing with her and this assignment was to be a trying one.

Proven correct almost too quickly, Yuki Kuran abructly rushed out of Aido's chambers, a panicked look to her eye.

I huffed and followed her through the many halls of the association building, a little irritated that me chasing after her appeared to be the start of a new norm. I caught up to her at as she stopped at an archway leading into the courtyard.

"What are you-," I began to question her, but then saw Kaito entering through the gate with a child in hand.

"I smelled blood so…" She cautiously walked over to him and the hunter guards mimicked her distance as she got near the child, "...who's injured?"

"That's just how it is here, someone's always injured," Kaito answered looking at the young child's knees, "This kid just has some cuts on him."

Kuran inched forward and Kaito cooly warned her, "Better not get any closer."

She didn't follow his advice and in a flash the guards pointed their weapons at the pureblood's neck. Unwavering, she began to reach out to the child, "This helpless child has always been targeted like this, hasn't he?"

"Get back," I ordered her and grasped onto her shoulder. As I did she still caressed the child's head and to the shock of both us, the memories of today's ordeal flooded before us. Not only did I see everything through the young one's eyes, I could feel the absolute fear that the child had just been afflicted with. The capture, the cries for help, Zero then appearing into view, subduing the vampire.

We were brought out of the memories by a sharp cry, but I could only maintain focus on Kaito reassuring the child. Everything else seemed to be drowned out. The memories were not mine, not at all, I was aware of that. But there was an eerie resemblance that I couldn't put my finger on. The fear resonated within me and my body flooded with cold anxiety.

"Yagari-san, are you alright?" Yuki's asked carefully.

I took a deep breath inwards, slightly shaking as I exhaled. A warm hand softly gripped my wrist and I looked up to meet Kaito's concerned gaze.

"Seina, are you…"

I slid my hand up and squeezed his, "I don't know."

Letting his hand go, I looked at the still crying child, "Kaito you should take the child back."

He agreed and turned, walking towards the courtyard gates, though still eyeing me as he went.

I took another large exhale and held myself by my sides, watching him leave, feeling unsettled and confused.