Alexander sat at the bar, watching the other club goers. From his viewpoint, he could see Kaname and Yureika talking with a group of guys. He caught the names 'Alice Cooper, Rush, Nirvana, and Styx" so it wasn't hard to assume what they were talking about. Across the room, some trashy young vampire was hitting on Takuma, but Alexander could tell that Takuma wasn't interested.

The group that Yureika and Kaname had been chatting with walked off, and Alexander noticed the two look towards the stage, then to each other, then back again. The band that had just played, some local garage band, was leaving the stage. Kaname looked over a few heads at Aido and Takuma, and motioned for them to follow. They nodded, and quickly got through the crowd. Alexander watched as they went backstage.

Up on stage, some guy was already ready, microphone in hand, and guitar slung over his shoulder. Behind him sat a drummer, and to his left and right were two other guitarists. They began to play some weird tune that Alex had never even heard before. They were okay, but not one of the best. Guess they were new to this.

Suddenly, Kaname was up on stage, and yanked the mike out of the guy's hands. Takuma, and Yureika appeared behind the guitarists, and Aido ousted the drummer from his seat. The singer angrily turned to face Kaname.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Kaname gave him one of his cool, carefully measured smiles.

"I want to show you boys some real playing." Kaname smirked.

"You think you're better than us?"

"Oh, we know we are dude."

Kaname took the guitar. Yureika did the same while Takuma snatched the bass.

"Here, watch."

Yureika grabbed the guitar and started a riff. Kaname placed the mike back in its holder, and placed on hand on the neck.

"For those of you in the eighties metal know, you'll recognize this one: Wasted Years Courtesy of Iron Maiden!"

Aido worked the drums, as Kaname and Takuma joined in. Kaname took a breath, and began to sing.

From the Coast of Gold,

Across the seven seas.

I'm travelin' on. Far and wide.

But now it seems,

I'm just a stranger to myself.

And all the things I sometimes do,

It isn't me but someone else.

I close my eyes.

And think of home.

Another city goes by,

In the night.

Ain't it funny how it is?

You never miss it 'till it's gone away.

And my heart is laying there.

And will be 'till my dying day.

So understand.

Don't waste your time

Always searching for those wasted years.

Face up, make your stand.

And realize you're living in the Golden years.

Too much time on my hands,

I got you on my mind.

Can't ease this pain...

So easily!

When you can't find the words to say,

It's hard to make it through another day.

And it makes me wanna cry

And throw my hands up to the sky.

The solo started up. The whole crowd was getting into the song. Yureika fingers were a blur as she constantly strummed and moved her hand up and down the neck of the guitar. Kaname was busy on backing rhythm. Alexander began tapping his foot. He felt a tap on his shoulder. The bartender stood behind him, and flashed him a smile. Alexander smiled back.

"You know those guys?"

"Yeah, they're friends of mine."

The bartender looked up at the stage. On his face was a smile mixed with a look of nostalgia.

"Haven't heard that tune in a while. Nor have I had a pretty decent band play here in a good long time. They sound just like Iron Maiden. Those four look like they make the cut, and take the cake, you known 'em long?"

He shook his head.

"No. I've known the singer for a pretty good time. The others I met recently.

So, understand

Don't waste your time

alwaysAlways searching for those waisted years.

Face up, make your stand

And realize you're living in the golden years.

The chorus repeated once more, then the instruments were played 'til the end. All in all, Alexander had to say it was a very good performance.

Kaname walked off stage with the others. Everyone in the crowd was cheering and wanting more. Aido smiled and even blushed a bit. Yureika was being hit on some guys after words. That was until Kaname took her and pulled her into a kiss.

Dramatic much? Alexander sighed and caught up with them. They were heading towards the door. Alexander was a bit confused…then he saw Aido.

Aido was smiling like an idiot and was flopping around. "Oh, come on. I'm not that…" Aido hiccupped. "I'm not that drunnnk…"

Alexander hit his head. Of course Aido would be the one that would get drunk. He always was…according to Kaname, at least.

Alexander and them walked out of the club with the others, and the drunken Aido.

"How many drinks did you have?" Yureika asked. She was holding her head and laughing. Her eyes had a glint of evilness in them.

Which worried Alexander.

"As much as I wanted." Aido slurred. He made a motion as if he was going to throw up, but then he giggled. "You guys thought that I was going to throw…up…" He hiccupped, again.

Akatsuki sighed. He cousin was making a fool out of himself, again. "You just had to have one more drink."

"Yep." Aido slurred.

Aido pushed off Kaname and Takuma and walked ahead about two feet, turned around and said, "I have become the greatest," Aido threw up his arms. "Vampire in the woooorrlllld…" Aido chuckled…and then fell to the ground.

Takuma and Akatsuki ran up to him and helped him up.

Aido chuckled. "I'm so…so…great…" Then he was gone.

Kaname shook his head. "Wow." Kaname motioned for a cab.

When the cab pulled up. Kaname spoke quickly and got in the cab.

Everyone else continued to walk home.

*****

Shiki nodded as Raven finished up what she was saying. "Wow, that was long. Like five books long."

Raven laughed. "Yea…Hey, when are they supposed to get back?"

Shiki shrugged as he finished his drink. He looked at the clock. It's been five hours since they went. He was expecting them to stay all night, unless something bad happened. Maybe Aido took a bite out of some human girl, or maybe he got drunk. Either way, it would most likely be Aido sending them home.

A knock on the door, and Shiki was there to open it.

Shiki was right. Aido got drunk and brought everyone home, only because Kaname was with him. If Kaname asked Akatsuki to send him home, everyone would be at the club. Guess Kaname wanted to come home.

Aido's head rose. "Hey…" Aido hiccupped. "Shiki…" Aido smiled like an idiot.

Kaname carefully positioned Aido on the couch. Kaname sighed. "He had a bit to much…"

Aido hiccupped and quickly fell asleep.

The door opened and in it's opening was Takuma with everyone else behind him.

Yureika was jumping and singing. Her little fun self was out, so she quickly went over to the stereo and inserted an Alice Cooper tape.

Alexander walked over to Kaname.

Kaname left the couch and turned towards Alexander. "Hey."

"Hey." Alexander looked around at the party animals. He laughed. "They sure like to have a good time."

Kaname nodded. "Yeah…that's my group." Kaname smiled.

Alexander looked at Kaname. "You know, I was wondering…why did you choose that song? There are a lot of songs you could of picked from. Like Fear of the Dark or…"

Yureika came over and gave Kaname a drink and then walked off.

Kaname took a sip and replied to Alexander's question. "I don't know. I guess the best thing I could say is that among all rock songs, it's the purest."

"Purest?"

"Yeah, that song really gets to you. It enters your ears, and just fills you. The message behind the music is so easy to understand. That combined with the music itself, the way the sound quality of the melody just floats into your soul. The way the guitars themselves seem to serenade you. They way Bruce Dickinson seems to be talking directly to you in the chorus. It's almost like magic. In a way, it gives you a sense of purpose."

Kaname smiled.

"At least it does for us anyway. By that I mean Takuma, Aido, Yure, and myself. We're total music nuts. But trust me when I say that the song is important." Kaname looked over at Aido.

Aido rubbed his head and complained, "Turn it down, I have a killer headache…"

Yureika snorted and said, "No."

Alexander chuckled. He watched as everyone partied, and Aido complained.

He saw something move in the kitchen. He cocked his head and went to investigate.

He entered the kitchen and looked around.

Suddenly, Raven jumped on him and exclaimed, "Alexander!"

Alexander shifted his footing and smiled. "Hey, Raven." Alexander gave her a kiss.

"So…what did you do at the Coffin Club?"

Alexander's smile went away. He sighed. "They wanted to go…" Alexander untangled himself from Raven, but still held her hands.

"So you're gonna take me?"

"No."

"Aw come 'on. Pweeease?" Raven put on a puppy dogface.

Alexander looked away. "Please don't do that…" Alexander was weak on those.

"I want to go, though." Raven placed her arms around Alexander's neck.

Alexander gave in. "Fine…but only the human part. No going down into the real Coffin Club."

Raven frowned. "Oh alright…"

Alexander smiled. "Promise you won't go down there?"

Raven kissed Alexander. She then winked and said, "Sealed with a kiss!"