Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the colour red? No? Well get an earful of it.

I hate it because it reminds me of that first night when Yuki and I were attacked. The way that red blood soiled the snow made me angry that such beauty was tainted.

I hate the fact that vampires are such fierce creatures that fucking depend on humans like us. Seeing their eyes glow red makes me feel targeted and so, so angry.

I hate that red can symbolise weakness, such as my new injury which is still so raw and tender.

I hate red because it reminds me of seeing Zero suffer from what happened that night. Washing away that blood was easy enough but it wouldn't take away his pain, his scars.

So you can probably guess how my opinion on Kuran was affected when he sent me a very red, glittery dress which had straps and some tear in the long skirt. Like for fuck's sake, does he think I'm Jessica Rabbit or something?! At least he didn't send me shoes, so I can just wear a comfortable pair of flats. But still, can I just wear something a little less glam dress? Like my blue one? The one with sleeves and I know it's a bit short but I will look a little more sophisticated than some hooker! I don't have to be terribly dolled up, do I? Yeah, I wasn't going to wear make-up, no matter how much Yuki insists, I'm not some tart.

A note came with the dress. Apparently Kuran would indeed be happy to see me in the dress and to arrive at the restaurant at five instead of waiting until six for him to pick me up. He didn't want us to arrive back too late and he would still be handling work so would meet me at the restaurant. Well, sounds good to me, I can just sneak out without Yuki or Kaien intervening.

So I strapped Pearl Beauty to my thigh, put on a coat that would hide my neck, shoulders and arms. Kuran had left instructions on the note, like where to find the restaurant, that they know that the reservation had been moved to an earlier slot and I just need to state his surname, they will be expecting me.


"Ah, right this way. May I take your coat?"

I was sceptical at first but I let a waiter take my coat away before following another to a table. He eyed my bandaged arm and I ignored him. I should get used to it, why did Kuran send me a dress that showed it off?! I was given a drinks menu and simply ordered a glass of water. I sat down at the table, listening to the classical music that was playing by the string quartet on the stage. I didn't often listen to classical but it was calming.

I waited as I was brought water, wishing that there was a clock around so I'd be able to track the time that had passed. Did I leave a little too early? Was it five o'clock yet? Well, probably since they let me be seated. I continued listening to the string quartet, feeling a little impatient. Damn it, Kuran, it's bad manners to keep a lady waiting. Especially since I want to get this over with.

"My, that looks nasty."

My whole body went up in alert as a waiter with his long black hair tied up in a ponytail approached the table and set down a basket of bread and a menu in front of me. His smirk chilled me as I recognised him. This guy…his name was Kou, was it? The vampire waiter from the café. How did he survive the explosion?

That was when I remembered. I don't recall Kou ever entering the kitchen after that other vampire, the one with ginger hair, came charging in after fighting with him. Damn, the gas probably didn't affect much of the seating area of the café.

"It's OK, Mana. I'm not going to tell anyone."

He leaned in, his notepad on hand.

"Shall I recommend any starters?"

His eyes chilled me as I shook my head slowly. I shifted to discretely show Pearl Beauty to him and he smirked.

"My, threatening to attack me, are we?" he taunted under his breath "Out of all the customers I have ever served, you're probably the rudest."

He straightened up.

"I'll give you another fifteen minutes, shall I?"

Another fifteen minutes? Is that how long I've been here already? Kou left as I began thinking of running away. Just get back home because restaurant was probably crawling with vampires like the café. But then I was reassured of the fact that there were plenty of witnesses around and that not all the staff seemed to be vampires. But still, I couldn't be too careful. After all, Kuran himself chose this restaurant.

"You look hungry, are you sure you won't even consider the mushroom soup."

It can't have been fifteen minutes already! As if reading my mind, Kou took out his pocket watch to glance at.

"Half past five. Rather rude to keep you waiting. You poor dear, you must be starving."

I clenched my good fist as Kou leaned in a little.

"In fact, I'm not sure if he's going to come. Are you sure you don't want to order now?"

I shook my head firmly. I didn't have money, Kuran assured me he'd pay. Of course, he would, he had enough money to buy the entire town.

"I wouldn't mind joining you."

I shivered at the smile he gave me and shook my head firmly. Surely, he'll come, otherwise he wouldn't have had the need to extort this date out of me. Kou left and I began worrying about the fact that he sounded so confident when he said Kuran wasn't going to come. Something didn't seem right all of a sudden. Yes there are witnesses, the place doesn't seem to be completely populated with vampires and I am armed (even though my left arm is out of commission) but there was just something as if this had been set up.

"Here, tomato soup."

Oh, for fuck's sake, it can't have been another fifteen minutes already! Kou leaned in, took a piece of bread and dipped it into the soup. He bit into it and locked eyes with me.

"It's safe and paid for," he murmured lowly "finish this up by let's say six and we can settle a few things."

He glared at me coldly and I returned it.

"They were rather close comrades to me."

I shivered as he left, pausing as he whispered something to the waiter who had escorted me here. I glanced at Pearl Beauty and began taking some bread to dip into the soup myself. I should deal with him and hopefully finish him off then come back here to meet Kuran to wrap up the damned date.

Once I had finished the soup, Kou was there with my coat. I let him slip it onto me and he walked out, bidding goodbye to his employees and marched me away from the school campus.

"You just need to come with me to meet someone," he whispered as we passed unsuspecting onlookers "That's all. I don't want to hurt you much."

Yeah, sure, I get it. I feel totally reassured and safe. I slipped my hands into my coat pockets and carefully slid my right one into one of my gloves. The left on was a bit tricky, I'd have to put that on later.

It was when we were on the outskirts of the town that I snatched Pearl Beauty out of her strap and cracked her. Kou backed off as I ignored the sore pain when I shoved my left hand into its glove and I carefully wrapped Pearl Beauty's cord around it. Kou's eyes lit up angrily as he gnashed his fangs.

"You are testing my boundaries, little girl."

I kicked my shoes off and charged for him, trying to loop the cord around his neck so I could strangle him. Kou was quicker though and I chased him through the empty streets. This was a very old part of town, hardly anyone came around here because of how derelict it was. I highly doubt Kou was taking me to see someone. Everything about this just screamed that he wanted to off me here. Yeah, right, I wasn't going to let that happen.

Kou was tricky to track and trickier to predict where he was going to come from in the shadows. It had gotten dark quickly, I don't know the time and I was in enemy territory. What if he had backup here? What is it with me and poor decisions?

"Gotcha!"

Kou practically manifested out of nowhere and caught me from behind, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and grabbing my left wrist. I heard the snap before I felt the pain radiate up my left arm. Fucking son of a bitch, he broke it! My throat burned as I tried to scream my pain but no voice came out. Just hoarse noises and I felt Pearl Beauty drop from my grip. I heard her being kicked away as I crumpled to the pavement, clutching my injured wrist and fighting back the tears.

"Ha! You don't know when to quit."

He grabbed a hand full of my hair and pulled me to my feet. I felt the tears flow down my face and I hissed as he gripped my left hand.

"You brought this upon yourself," he hissed as I began to feel dizzy from the pain "You…"

Suddenly his speech was cut off and I felt something warm splash on my face. My heart began beating faster and faster as I saw a dark claw coming out of Kou's chest. Kou gurgled in surprise as his grip on me faltered.

"Don't. You. Dare…"

Kou disappeared into dust and I fell forward. I blacked out.