Chapter 2

He found himself in the same situation he was last night.

"Look, ladies, just let me go and all is well," he said with confidence he didn't feel.

The vampires just smirked at him menacingly. Angling his head away as far as the wall behind him would allow, he reviewed what had happened earlier. He was just walking home as he usually does when somebody jumped on him from behind and he ended up being tied to the wall with five female vampires ready to feast on his blood. Great. Just great. He didn't even have time to use his powers. All he needs now is that firey elf to complete the night and it would almost be like last night.

Almost as if on cue, five kunai found their way to the necks of the vampires. They disintegrated right on the spot.

He looked towards the source of the weapon. "Glad to see you, Red. But we really have to stop meeting like this," he said with a smile.

Two kunai flew into the air and cut through the rope binding his wrists.

"Yer real trouble, ye are! Dinnae ye ever learn? Geez! Ye mortals are in a real hurry to die, are ye not?" she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"My name's Sasame," he said, rubbing the feeling back to his wrist.

"I ain't interested. Next time, go home afore dark," she replied crossly.

"Are you always so irritable?" he asked.

"Try saving stubborn, mule-headed humans. Mayhap then ye'd ken. Oh, I fergot. Yer one o' them," she said in mock realization.

"Now, see here, we are not mule-headed," he defended. "By saying humans, do you mean to say you're not a human?"

That gave her pause. She'd put her foot in her mouth again. If she tells him, she'd be grounded for a thousand or more years and she didn't think she could bear that.

"Well?" he pressed.

"I, uh… um… I am-"

"That's quite enough, missy," interrupted a new voice. Out of the shadows emerged a raven-haired muscular man who towered above the two.

"Zarek!" the lady gasped.

"Yes, me," the man, Zarek, replied. "T-rex's been looking for you."

"Bah! He always does. What does he want now?" she asked impatiently. "Can't you see I'm in the middle of a very provocative argument?"

"I see that. And I also heard your very discriminating words. Racial discrimination I believe it's called," Zarek countered. Turning to Sasame, he said, "I thank you for saving this little monster's life last night. You'll be greatly rewarded, I assure you."

"Well, she did save my life," Sasame replied, uncomfortably. Apparently, these people are not humans and immortal. That much he knew.

"I hope she rewards him with intellect. He's very dumb," she mumbled.

Zarek cast her a look and caught her arm. "No more wandering away, little mischief. Your mother will have both our heads," he whispered to her. To Sasame, he said, "It's great to know that humans are not all selfish prigs." Bowing, he disappeared with the lady.

Sasame blinked. Was that guy her husband? he wondered. He looked more like her older brother. And who's this T-rex guy? Well, he had seen her again but sadly, he still doesn't know her name.

"Stay still, milady, else yer beautiful gown'll be ruined."

Tsukime Pathenopaeus forced herself to stay still. "But, nanny, your needle is poking at my rib," she whined.

Her nanny finished sewing the changes of her gown and made Tsukime sit on a chair before the dresser. "Stop whining, milady. Ye ken yer supposed to be beautiful fer tonight," she said, styling her charge's bright red hair.

Tsukime pouted. "But, Nanny, I'd rather be out tonight. You know, to breathe some fresh air."

"Child, ye ken I canna cover fer ye in the party. I look way older than ye do," her nanny admonished her while applying make-up on Tsukime's face.

"You know I hate parties. Very much so."

"It's yer birthday. Your debut," replied her nanny. "Stand up so we can get a good look at ye."

Tsukime obligingly stood up and turned around slowly. The black and white off-shoulder gown became her. Diamonds twinkled from her ears and neck and her hair was gleaming in its red glory. She rolled her silvery eyes heavenwards as her nanny made the last adjustments on her gown.

"A bonny lass, ye are. Jest like yer momma," her nanny said.

A knock resounded on the door. Nanny opened the door and Zarek walked inside.

"Good evening, milady," he greeted with a bow.

"Ain't she a beauty?" her nanny gushed.

Zarek nodded. "Yes, she is," he said, smiling warmly. "Acheron's looking for you."

Tsukime scowled and crossed her glove-covered arms over her chest. "What now? Isn't he happy I'm staying home as I am ought to do? Sheesh!" she complained and walked out.

"What an adorable child," her nanny said in admiration. "Just like her mother."

"Oh, I don't know. I see a lot of Acheron in her too."

Sasame entered the ballroom of the mansion of the owner of AAPN. He just made it in time with few minutes to spare. After that eventful meeting with his mystery lady, he had headed home and rushed in his preparations for the debut. It's a good thing he had prepared his white suit and tie last night.

"Sasame-kun!!!"

He looked up at the familiar voice. A particular pink haired beauty was slowly threading her way to the crowds to him followed by a specific blue-haired man.

"Himeno? Hayate? What are you two doing here? I thought you're on a date?" he asked the two.

"Yes we are. Hayate is my date to this soiree," HImeno explained.

Sasame frowned. "I didn't know you know the AAPN's daughter."

"Oh, we were classmates way back in high school," Himeno said with a shrug.

Sasame glared accusingly at Hayate. "You didn't tell me you're going to this debut."

"I didn't know either. Himeno said it was a surprise," Hayate replied.

"What about you, Sasame? Why are you here?" she asked him.

"Business. Boss wants to have a merger with the AAPN."

"Huh? But you're your own boss."

"Boss wants me to handle this merger. It seems he's quite fond of my skills ever since I merged my station with his company."

Hayate laughed and slapped his friend's shoulder. "You had that one in the bag even before you stepped into your present partner's office."

"One has to make most of his talents," Sasame said with a shrug.

"Himeno-san!" A familiar red-haired lady rushed to Himeno and hugged her. Sasame's jaw almost dropped to the floor. It was-

"Tsukime! Otanjobi omedatou gozaimasu," Himeno greeted her friend.

Tsukime smiled. "Thank you, Himeno." Seeing Hayate, she took his hand, shook it and said, "I believe you're Hayate. Nice to meet you."

Hayate smiled at the petite lady, "Nice to meet you too, Ms. Tsukime."

Tsukime grinned. "You're overtly polite, do you know that?"

Hayate just nodded politely.

Himeno touched Tsukime's arm to get her attention. "Tsukime, there's someone I would like you to meet."

Tsukime turned to face her friend and was rendered speechless when she saw who was with her.

Himeno was smiling. "Himeno, I would like you to meet one of my closest friends and Hayate's best friend, Sasame. Sasame, this is Tsukime Parthenopaeus."

"Charmed," Sasame said, taking Tsukime's hand and kissing the back of it. "Happy birthday to you, Ms. Parthenopaeus."

Tsukime's smiled at him politely and she pulled her hand back. "Thank you," she gritted out.

"Sasame's a radio personality. The best. I believe you've heard of Sasame's Gate?" Himeno asked.

"Yes I have. I've listened to it in my free time," she replied. "Quite impressive, its recent stats are."

Sasame laughed self-consciously. "Himeno's kidding. I'm just doing my best."

"Obviously, his best is the best," Hayate seconded his girlfriend.

Tsukime nodded politely. "Without a doubt, it is. Will you please excuse me for a while? I have to greet some newly arrived guests." With those words, she disappeared in the crowd.

"Hayate, can I talk to you for a moment?" Sasame requested his friend.

"Sure. What seems to be the problem?" Hayate asked, following the retreating Himeno with his gaze. She had excused herself to the comfort room.

"It was her."

Hayate blinked. "Huh? What do you mean it was her? Who?"

"Tsukime. She was the one who saved me."

The blue-haired knight laughed. "You're kidding, right? Tsukime fighting vampires? Hilarious."

Sasame frowned. "I'm not joking. Tsukime is a vampire slayer. And that guy," he said, pointing to Zarek who's talking to Tsukime, "he's the one who fetched Tsukime earlier this evening."

"You're saying they're leading double just lives like we do?"

"Could be."

"I just can't imagine that petite, sweet-mannered lady could take on a vampire. Much less four."

"Earlier, she took on five."

"How'd you know?"

"She saved me yet again," Sasame said with a shrug.

"If I don't know better, I would think you're doing it on purpose."

"I don't have a death wish, as you very well know. As for her being sweet-tempered, I beg to reconsider."

Hayate smiled. "You greeted her warmly, I see."

"I heard that was how their gentlemen greet a lady. I am on a business venture, after all."

"Sure. Anything you say, Sasame," Hayate replied with a smirk.

Sasame sighed. This is what one gets when opening up to his best friend. His eyes traveled around the huge ballroom with its lovely ivory walls and delicately carved posts. The huge crystal chandelier hung about twelve feet over their heads, lighting the whole room with its crystal brilliance. He'd bet everything he has that there isn't a single light bulb inside the chandelier. Light seem to emit from the crystals themselves. He took in everything and everyone in the room. They were a confusion of family friends, social climbers, party crashers, journalists, and business magnates. Looks like the party's going to make it to the papers tomorrow.

His eyes were drawn to the left part of the hall where a certain red-haired puppet was talking to some guests. Was it just the light or is her hair even redder this evening? She had it brushed up this evening, held by a single tortoise shell comb. Silver ribbons were threaded through her hair. She wore little make-up, he noticed that when she had welcomed them earlier. Her gown was of the best quality, as one would expect of an heir. The top half being black, looked to be held by a single thread. The sleeves were short and loose and resting just below her shoulder. Her skirt was white and floor-length, covering those shapely legs which her usual attire failed to cover.

"Sasame, I would like you to meet Mr. Acheron Parthenopaeus," Himeno said, effectively stopping Sasame's train of thought.

He turned to greet the CEO of AAPN and locked with the silvery eyes of his host. Now he knew where Tsukime got her eyes.