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He walked alone. Well not technically, Francis and Arthur were bickering behind him but no one walked beside him. He didn't mind, he did not want to talk to Alfred. He walked farther in front of the bickering pair towards Feliciano's dance studio, Francis and Arthur were a good ways behind him when he walked into the studio.

There was music playing and he stopped as he saw Gilbert and Feliciano dancing again. But the feel of the music and their moves were tighter, angrier. Gilbert moved quick and precise while Feliciano moved quickly and with a looked of concentration. It wasn't the pair's fantastic dancing that made him stop, it was Gilbert, or more Gilbert's torso.

From the handful of times he hand seen the albino, GIlbert always wore long sleeves and shirts or jackets with collars that lined the base of his neck. He didn't think nothing of it until now. The vampire didn't have a shirt on and the slight definition of muscles he could have previously seen through long sleeved shirts or jackets was now on display. Sure, he'd admit the man was fit, he wasn't expecting anything less from a dancer as good as him.

It was the tattoos that he couldn't seem to look away from. There was no color in them besides different shades of black and grey. They were old, some looked like tribal prints curling up his arms and around his pectoral muscles. Somehow those prints formed into a huge eagle, its wings curling around a snake that laid curled on his lower abdomen, it eye made up, surprisingly, by his belly button. He couldn't help but stare, those three pieces were masterfully done, beautiful and dangerous at the same time. When the albino turned he squashed the feeling of excited curiosity and his jaw dropped in shock. Taking up most of his right shoulder blade was the Mark, and it was pitch black.

His mind came to a complete stop. He had to blink hard to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He opened his eyes to see Gilbert and Feliciano breaking apart, the Mark like a beacon on his shoulder. Feliciano wasn't looking at him, he was looking at Gilbert's back as well. He decided to play obliviousness and made a show of rummaging through the back that held his dance shoes and stomping further into the studio. He figured might as well tell everyone he was pissed instead of a nervous wreck.

Gilbert was a Hunter, but then why had Alfred and that wolf in the library acted and even called him a vampire? It didn't make any sense...maybe the albino was human? He could have vampire scent on him because of Ludwig but then what about the newspapers? He would be an old man by now if he was human...he hadn't seen anything that would lead him to being a vampire besides Alfred's exclamation over two weeks ago. But he knew a demon, was possibly 'friends' with it. Demons lived a long time, to become friends with one, he had to have lived quite a while as well.

He looked over Gilbert again, utterly confused and he hated it. This man was no less an enigma and he was suddenly felt with the need to figure him out.

He shook himself, deciding he had been standing too long and walked towards Gilbert just as he heard the door open and Alfred's voice sounding a little too loud. No wonder Francis and Arthur took so long.

He smiled at Gilbert when the albino looked at him with his rusty eyes. He stopped a little too close to the man and he couldn't help but smirk as he heard Alfred go silent, "Hey Gil."

The albino had watched him walk over and he glanced at the silent werewolf. He smiled down at him. He was surprised at the softness of it, "Hello Mattheu. It had been awhile." He lowered his voice slightly, "You bring good news I hope?"

He chuckled at the small hopeful tone, "Yes," He sighed, "and no. Francis said he'd talk to you." He scowled, "But only if you agreed to Alfred standing in on it." He crossed his arms, "It's his way of forcing me in the same room with that werwolf."

Gilbert raised an eyebrow and looked up at Alfred, his eyes flashed with an emotion he couldn't really place. Gratitude? Anger? He couldn't tell. He tried not to jump when Gilbert suddenly looked down at him, "What did Alfred do to make you so mad at him?"

He could feel the emotion swirling in his eyes and he tried to push it down, ignoring the frown Gilbert gave him, "He...told me something about my parents...something he didn't do and…" He scowled, "If I ever talk to that liar again it'll be too soon."

Gilbert looked up at Alfred again, "I know this is prying but...what didn't he do?"

He looked down at their feet, not really sure if he should talk. He surprised himself when he softly spoke, "I...My parents were killed when I was a teenager...Alfred had the chance to save them, but he didn't." He fought to glare at the blonde, "All for the reason that he wanted me to be his friend...that son of a bitch. He had the chance to save them but he didn't! He let them-"

He blinked in shock. Gilbert was looking down at him with blazing eyes, a pale finger on his lips, "Shh, it is alright…" That finger moved and that hand cupped his face, a thumb wiping tears that had gathered and threatened to fall. He hadn't even noticed them.

He took a deep breath, he was not going to cry in front of all these people. The hand slowly moved away and Gilbert smiled. He couldn't help a small smile in return, "Thank you." The albino hadn't said more than a few words to him but that seemed to help him calm down. He didn't know whether to feel wary about that or not.

He heard Feliciano call everyone together. He and Gilbert were the last ones to join the group. Gilbert placed a hand on his shoulder, "I will speak with Alfred there."

He looked up at Gilbert in surprise but the albino was moving towards Feliciano, helping the Italian demonstrate a new dance he was going to teach them. He hardly listened, instead wondering how the conversation after would go.

The class went by without any incident besides Alfred trying to catch his eye and the glares he saw the blonde giving Gilbert every once in awhile, as if the albino was the reason he was ignoring the wolf.

Feliciano ended the class, announcing that he would be teaching everyone individually next week. The had barely been able to close before animalistic growls filled the empty space. He turned quickly, a hand moving to the small of his back and blinked in surprise. He was expecting Alfred to be facing off against Gilbert, not Feliciano himself looking as if he'd rip Alfred in half. He saw Francis move towards the trio and he followed.

He roughly placed his hand in Alfred's chest, feeling Francis at his back and knowing he'd be doing something similar but it would be a lot softer. He easily dodged the fist that was swung at him, his hand bringing a pistol up and cocking it. The barrel rested in between Alfred's eyes and he ignored the hurt look in them. He frowned, "I'm still a Hunter Alfred, threaten me and I won't hesitate to kill you."

Alfred scowled and looked at him and Feliciano, "So you'd protect the blood sucker over me?!"

He looked at Alfred blankly, "Or maybe he's feeling threatened as a lone male wolf is becoming hostile in the middle of his territory." He felt a hand on his shoulder and he lowered the gun, turning to find Francis frowning at him. He looked at Feliciano, seeing the smaller man standing next to Gilbert with a frown. The albino himself was watching the scene with a blank face but he eyes were moving to the three of the rapidly. He sighed and placed the gun back in it's resting spot, "I'm sorry Francis...I'm making this longer than it should be…"

The Frenchman shook his head, "Let's just get this done and over with." He frowned at Alfred, "Behave yourself. Alfred looked like he was going to say something but thought better of it. Crossing his arms with a scowl.

"Maybe we should go sit somewhere more comfortable…" Feliciano turned and lead the group to the back. He immediately took in the small sitting room of small couches and chairs, raising an eyebrow at Feliciano. The Italian sat in one of the chairs, "This is just if I'm staying late." He knew that Feliciano wasn't telling them all but he didn't blame him, he could keep his secrets.

Francis sat in one of the chairs while Alfred chose to stand, to the Frenchman's disdain and ignored the glare sent his way as he sat beside Gilbert on one of the small couches. Francis leaned an elbow on the arm of his chair, resting his chin on his fist, "So what is it you wanted to ask me?"

Gilbert smirked then, crossing his legs, one ankle resting on the other knee, "I just need help finding someone and I know you are the quickest way. I have most of the information you need, I only want a location and that is all."

Francis raised an eyebrow, "And you expect me to go with the because…?"

The albino chuckled then, "Then I will give you and the...Association something that I highly doubt you have even heard about."

Alfred snorted, "What is it? A Dark artifact? A book? The Association just destroys those these days."

Gilbert smirked, "Yet you believe people who have been trained to lie in any condition. My, you are dumber than I originally thought."

He sent Gilbert a pointed look and Feliciano frowned, "Gilbert. You asked for their help, now be civil."

The albino sighed, leaning back and throwing on arm across the back, "Fine. I need help locating a demon. He is someone I need to help with my...situation at hand." He glanced over at Gilbert, noticing the man pick up a folder he hadn't noticed from the side table beside the couch.

Francis frowned as he watched Gilbert, "What else do you want? This can't be all."

Gilbert smirked, "Well I cannot ask for anything else unless you think what I have is worth more from you?"

Francis leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees, "Well that depends on what you want to give me."

Gilbert held up the folder, "That is for me to know, but I will tell you it is a book. If I am right then the copy that I have will be the only one the Canadian and American Associations will have for a very long time."

Francis frowned, eyes narrowed, "And how do you know if we don't already have one? Or if you're just lying to me to get what you want." His lip curled slightly and he tucked a lock of hair behind his ear, "I wouldn't put it past you to do such a thing and disappear." He caught the Frenchman's eye and couldn't help raising an eyebrow at his speculations.

Gilbert tapped the back of the couch, "I would not be doing this if I did not have to. Truth be told this is the first civil conversation I have had with a group of Hunters in over two hundred years."

He blinked at that, looking at the albino in shock. He hadn't expected for him to come out and say his age just like that, or for him to be so old. He looked at Feliciano and blinked at the frown the Italian had on his face. It was rare to see Feliciano so serious, he couldn't help but feel nervous.

He looked back to Francis and saw his wide eyes and Alfred's open mouth. Gilbert looked amused overall, "May I ask, what was the oldest vampire you have encountered?"

Francis tensed slightly, "It was no more than half a century, still easy to succumb to bloodlust."

Gilbert leaned back and he suddenly realised how close the albino was to him as his side just brushed against his shoulder. Francis seemed to notice too as the Frenchman tensed even more, having to force his hands to relax from the fists they were in.

The vampire smirked, "Well that is a shame. You are very inexperienced then with my kind. I believe our population has been dangerously low since Salem Witch Trials right?"

He looked at Feliciano then, the Italian slowly nodding with a frown, "Are you sure you want to tell them this much? They're good people, yes, but…" He looked sheepishly at Alfred, "Not many people are able to keep such secrets."

Gilbert grinned then and he couldn't help but stare at the slightly elongated canines. A weapon in and of itself, able to inject venom that can kill a victim. The albino winked at Feliciano, "Well since you spoke in their language I guess you have been wanting to tell someone yes?"

He frowned slightly when Feliciano looked down at his hands and nodded slightly. It was a strangely submissive move towards a creature that wolves wouldn't such qualities too. Ludwig flashed through his mind and he looked up at Gilbert beside him, wondering, once again, who this man really was.

Francis broke his train of thought with a sigh and an outstretched hand, "Fine I'll find whatever they are, but I want the book and to tell me what you two are talking about."

Gilbert handed over the file with ease, "His most recent name is Ivan Braginsky, I would tell you his real name but human tongues cannot pronounce it. Last we could find is he was in Russia during the Cold War and travelled between Moscow and different cities in China. Now I have no idea where he is, nor can Ludwig or Feliciano's brother find any information on him. He has just dropped out of existence at the moment."

Francis had opened the folder and was looking through the information inside as the albino spoke. He stopped as Gilbert finished. He looked up, "What do you mean be 'at the moment?'"

Gilbert leaned forward with a sigh and his eyes connected with Francis', "What I am about to say you will speak to no one beside whom reside in this space." He felt his eyes widen as he saw Francis nod without a word, leaning back in his chair and opening the folder in his lap. Gilbert nodded and looked up to Alfred, smirking at the enraged look in his blue eyes.

Alfred growled as Francis blinked in confusion, "You bastard…"

Gilbert glanced at Feliciano amusedly, "I did nothing wrong, only assuring that no information leaves this room." He saw rust eyes turn towards him and he stiffened, drawing back slightly. The albino only shook his head, "If you give me your word then I will only ask you make sure Francis nor the wolf say anything about this."

He was confused as to what was happening, what was Gilbert doing? He cursed his voice for shaking slightly, "W-What did you do?"

Gilbert smiled slightly and glanced at Alfred before leaning back into the couch, "Vampires are very old, the species going back to when 'Hell' was created. They were lower level demons that took the form of humans in order to steal souls and take them to the Underworld. They did this many different ways; kidnapping, murdering humans even and snatching the soul before it could leave," He smirked, "or mind control. Those are only a few and now they are not as strong because of vampires mixing with humans. Once vampires began tainting humans, those that were old and powerful enough were able to tap into their ancestral blood and use those powers that the vampires originally had." He looked at Francis as the Frenchman's face turned into a scowl, "I will tell you I can tap into other's minds. It is very useful but I do not have the chance to use it all the time." He held up a hand when Francis opened his mouth, "I did nothing besides ask for your word to keep quiet, but if Hunters come knowing down my door, I will know who to look for."

He caught Francis' eyes and slightly shook his head to show he was fine, but slightly confused still. He looked over as Feliciano stood, silent this whole time, "Gil you really shouldn't be telling all of these things...It's not like when your name had meaning to it, people don't fear you here. You have to be more careful especially when…" He smiled apologetically at Francis, "I just worry about him, I don't want him telling you everything but if anyone Gil deserves your help."

Francis frowned but looked down at the folder and the files inside, "I will do this for you Feliciano and you Mattheu, but don't be surprised if I ask you for something later."

Feliciano only smiled and sat back down, looking at Gilbert who smiled back, "Now, on to business."

Alfred huffed, "Finally, I thought we were going to gossip all day."

Gilbert and Francis ignored him and he watched the two talk silently, "You should know that Ivan works for another, higher level demon who takes orders from Hades himself. He is extremely powerful, even to today's standards. His mind control is much better than what I can do and he is very manipulative. But, there is only one reason he follows that high level demon."

Francis passed the file to him and he looked down at a picture of a rather large man with a big nose and pale, almost white, blonde hair. he man had violet eyes and he looked at Gilbert with a raised eyebrow. The vampire only continued, "The man has a...friend of sorts that like to stay in China and the surrounding countries. His name is Yao. I am not sure if he changed his last name but the last time I found him it was Wang. He runs a drug cartel of sorts, selling potent drugs that are laced with Dark Magic. He mostly uses opium, but I would think he has moved on to other drugs with the times but he does not usually serve humans unless they know of him directly. So I would look for a large collection of creatures in cities."

Francis looked up at GIlbert, "And what will you tell him if I'm able to bring him in?"

Gilbert smirked, "The demon has his two sisters imprisoned, well he had. They died a very long time ago but the man has been able to delude Ivan into thinking they have been alive all this time by showing him shards of their soul. I am simply going to tell him he has been played a fool and maybe I will finally get out of this damn curse."

A/N: Wow, I'm terribly sorry for not updating for a while but I think if you haven't guessed already, I'm extending my updates to every other Monday. I know I'm sorry! But it gives me more time to write more and still be able to finish homework. So that's the big thing! I hope you guys liked this chapter!

Thank you for the follows and favs! It's what lets me know you guys like this!

Until next time my lovelies!

NatureLuvMaple