The night air was cool and refreshing. We sailed through the air, and the feeling of freedom welled up in me again. I'm not sure what it is about flying, but when you're up in the air, gliding on the winds gentle caresses, it's a bit hard to explain. The pale iridescent glow of the full moon, hit us like a lighthouse beam, making my wings stand out sharply and Lucas's glow brilliantly. Trees sighed and moaned in the soft breeze, their limbs waving to and fro. They seemed to be waving us onward. We landed on the moonlit ground, in a small clearing a few yards away from the school. Funny how when you're flying time seems to slow down, or not even exist at all.

Have you ever been out in the woods, and when you stop, you take in everything around you? Every tree, every sound every animal, every smell? If you haven't do that sometime, it's exhilarating. The clearing itself was about thirty yards across, surrounded by tall wooden pillar like oak trees that held up the sky. I inhaled deeply, I could smell everything, the wood, the wet grass, the animals in the nearby brush, everything. Suddenly my eyes widened as a new scent reached my nostrils, I turned back o Lucas and he nodded. He had caught the scent as well. Hunters. We backed up to the center of the clearing and each took a fighting stance, our eyes flicking to each and every tree, and the shadows that lay beyond. We didn't have long to wait, for soon a sweet, soft voice crept its way towards us.

"Aww, too bad. I was hoping for a chance to surprise you. Master was right. Angels do have amazing senses."

We both whipped around, and there leaning against a tall sturdy oak was a girl about the age of thirteen with her black hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing all black; in her belt she carried a gun. Her smile was cold, and her brown eyes were no less evil.

"Tani."

Lucas hissed. His face contorted with rage. It took me a minute to remember. Tani and her older sister Taki (I know how original?) were two of the very best angel hunters around. Scanning the area I sighed inwardly. Looks like we would be dealing with the little one tonight. Tani stepped forward, the fallen leaves crunching beneath the unforgiving soles of her combat boots.

"I wonder if Master will pay me double if I bring back both of you. He only told me to bring back the girl, but you're a fine catch Lucas."

Tani smirked. Lucas snarled.

"Keep Yuki out of this."

"So, her name is Yuki?"

She looked at me.

"Why don't you come with me Yuki? It's much better than hanging around with this loser. You'll be looked after quite well, and Master is such a kind person. What'd ya say?"

Tani asked stretching out her hand. I shook my head.

"Somehow I doubt that. Besides, I'm not the type of person who takes requests from someone I just met thank you."

Tani's smile faltered.

"Okay, but don't blame me if you end up getting a whole blasted through those pretty wings of yours."

Quicker than any mortal eye could follow she grabbed her gun and fired, too bad for her I could track her movement. Snapping out my wings I soared into the air, then torpedoed straight for the young huntress. To my satisfaction, I was much too fast for her, and she was soon slammed into a tree. Lucas's laughter met my ears.

"Wow Tani. I didn't think you were such an amateur. Look at you, on the ground before you can inflict a single wound. If your sister were here, she would have us on the ground."

Tani's face became scarlet with fury. Then I realized it. It was a competition. Tani knew Taki could do better, but she was still determined to outdo her.

Gotta hand it to her. This kids persistent.

I thought. Tani quickly leapt up.

"I'll make you eat those words, you feather-headed bird brain!"

She charged, at Lucas, firing continuous rapid shots. Lucas dodged them all and kicked her in the gut, once more she flew back, only this time into a thorn bush. She groaned in pain. I looked at Lucas, he nodded. I grimed. Looks like I was the lucky one who got to finish off the brat. I'm not complaining though. It's rarely ever that I get to fight like this. Cross Academy normally never has fights, and if there are fights, it's amongst the Night Class students and is resolved quickly. I leapt off the ground, climbed a good twenty feet into the air, pulled my wings in, and dive-bombed Tani. I was five seconds from impact when a dagger sliced its way up my arm. I yelped in pain. The dagger had burned the tender flesh of my arm, and the blood was sizzling, I fishtailed in mid air and when crashing into the ground. I looked up, only to see Taki. Her blond hair fell loosely over her shoulders and she was smiling coldly. I noticed her belt was full of daggers and blades. I was quickly hauled up by the arm. I stood staring face to face with Taki. That cold smile broadened.

"Well now, would ya look at this? Not everyday I bring one down so easily."

I growled at her. It was a deep threatening sound that vibrated in my chest. Taki let me go. I stumbled out of her grip. Lucas caught me. He glared at Taki. My arm was bleeding badly, and the blood smelled as if it had been boiled. The realization came to me in a split second. The weapon had been made if iron. Iron is an angel's natural weakness, just the smell makes us sick. Lucas stepped in front of me protectively, purple eyes smoldering.

"Just why the hell would you two come this far to track us down?"

Taki shrugged.

"It's master's decision not mine. He told us to and wouldn't give us a reason."

"Figures. All you need is money, there doesn't have to be a reason with you. Who's this Master person anyway?"

"The one who trained Tani and I. If it weren't for him, I would still be fighting you two."

She looked back at Tani, who was brushing off dirt, and loose thorns.

"It looks like my baby sis still has to go through some more training."

Tani glare at her sister fiercely. Taki ignored it.

"Now you can come with us, or perish quietly here."

Lucas snarled and I scowled.

"Not chance."

We snapped at the same time. Taki just shrugged, grabbed a long think blade and swung. Lucas quickly darted out of the way, I however received a minor nick. I hissed as the iron blade sliced open my skin. I thrust my hand out and connected with Taki's neck, slamming her into a nearby tree. I tightened my grip. Wham! I was knocked off balance, Tani had come rushing out of nowhere at me, and had slammed into my right side. I heard a bone-crunching thud as my foot met her ribs. The singsong sound of metal slicing the air caught my attention. Taki was trying to hit Lucas, but to no avail. I shoved Tani to the ground, stuffing her neck in between the heel and toe of my boot. She gasped for breath. Her eyes filled with fear.

"Taki!"

She screeched. Taki, seeing her sister was in trouble, threw an iron sharigan at me, then ran over to Tani, who was coughing. I bit back a scream as the blades ripped my skin, and burned the sensitive flesh beneath. I dropped to the ground, clutching my shrieking wound. Then, just as quickly as the battle had begun it was over. Lucas was panting, holding his shoulder, where Taki had managed to get him. Taki was holding her sister, who seemed, at the moment to be breathing steadily. She shot us both an icy glare.

"We'll finish this later."

And with that she was gone. Lucas turned to me.

"Yuki……are……you…..o..kay?"

He questioned between breaths. I tried to stand up and look at him, but my head was full of and angry gray fog. I stumbled, then fell over. I was dimly aware of Lucas shouting my name, then catching my before my bloody scarred body hit the ground. The smell of blood and iron seemed very far away, as the gray fog deepened, becoming black cold water, swallowing me up as I sank deeper into unconsciousness.