The streets were crowded, more than Aria was used to because in the past she had always gone to the village in attendance at night. The daytime completely transformed the streets into a bustling mesh of people hurrying to the market, vendors, street urchins, and some elderly sitting on crates discussing as others walked by. It was refreshing and Aria soaked in the pure social chaos that seemed to be the norm on the outside. She almost reveled in being jostled along the busy corridors and streets. It took her a few moments to remember why she had journeyed out so late in the morning. She had no idea even where to begin.
As a pure romantic, she felt well advised in literature to know that sometimes the best place to find those who don't wish to be found was in the seediest places, though when she hesitated outside of one of the local taverns, she thought this through once again. Truly would the Kurans ever be found in such a place? Would Kaname-sama ever allow his family to reside in such filth? Probably not. Aria moved further along, hoping to find something more promising.
Vaugt breathed a sigh of relief. Thus far he had been patient and well-behaved; however, it would have been the final straw if she had made a turn into the tavern. Hanabusa would have his head if he heard Vaugt allowed his precious daughter to enter such a place. Vaugt kept a close eye on Aria from behind, seeing if he could head off anyone who sought trouble with her. If they did approach her, they would get more than they bargained for. He owed a lot to Hanabusa for giving him a livelihood for him and his family after the war and he felt a paternal instinct rise up when looking at Yori, who at this time still remained suspended in time. It was the least he could do to watch over the young woman who so resembled Yori.
Aria felt her stomach protest and grow more demanding as time passed and she realized there was little she had discovered. She had little time before the estate sent the hounds after her and she had even less time to worry about her stomach. When she stopped to ask for directions the woman she was questioning glanced anxiously at the intimidating figure standing not far off and Aria was not any closer than before in finding the most likely hiding place of the Kurans. She came to the conclusion quickly that the only way to get anywhere was to somehow ditch Vaugt. She felt sorry for having to do such a thing, but it was necessary. Waiting until the right moment, she slid easily behind a stack of crates and waited for the confused man to continue past her. She saw the look of dismay on his face to have been given the slip and chuckled to herself under her breath when she saw him rub his bald head with irritation.
Once the big man was out of sight, she entered the streets once again and made her way to another tavern, far less shady than the one they had passed previously. Sighing with some relief, she settled down into a corner table and waited to be asked her order. She took advantage of her listening skills and tried hard to hone in on any bits of conversation in the crowded space surrounding her. It did not take her long to discover that a rich fellow had rented the flat above the old shop on the other side of town. No one seemed to know who he was or what business he had, but evidently he had the connections to have the boarded up place refurbished and looking almost like new. Perhaps he was aiming to have it restocked and the owner reinstated, despite his run-ins with the law. Aria tried to listen closer, but found that the conversation waned.
So her first stop was to be the old shop across town, the problem was that she had no idea where it was. Stepping back into the sunlight after hurriedly finishing her meal, she began asking for directions, but no one seemed to be able to tell her anything. Suddenly a gentleman tapped her on the shoulder and offered to lead her to her destination and she was immensely grateful. He did not seem dangerous. His eyes were an honest grey and he was dressed quite nicely. She felt trustful of him almost immediately. They struck out for the shop, with the man leading the way and it only took her a few moments to realize that they were taking several back routes and with far less people around. When she mentioned this, he simply replied that it was easier to navigate. The feeling of unrest did not leave her as they took another corner only to be stopped immediately by a dead end.
Abruptly Aria realized she had been lead astray and turned to run, but the man was instantly blocking her escape. How in heaven's name did he move so fast? Then she saw his fangs and she knew she was not facing a mortal man. Taking a step back in alarm, she managed to shakily stutter out a demand of what he sought. He chuckled coldly, as the gentle veneer had been erased.
"Is it not obvious my dear? You have the smell of noble blood within you. You might be tasty." Aria felt her stomach clench and a wave of self-loathing washed over her knowing that she had been duped and so easily at that.
"If you come any closer I'll rip your eyes out," she warned heatedly, but the other only laughed in the face of such anger.
"You won't even have a chance to scream." He lunged for her, pinning her to the wall. Her reflexes raised her knee to connect with that which made him a man and he hunched over automatically. Taking her chance, she sped past him only to be grabbed by an arm and flung into the other wall. She hit it with a grunt. She would not scream. She would not cry out for help. She was stronger than that. The stars that erupted though were making it difficult for her to react. The vampire lunged in for a lethal blow, but stopped just as his incisors were to break her skin. He let out a gust of air before completely shattering into a pile of dust, some of which got into Aria's mouth.
Aria spat convulsively, making rather unladylike sounds as she looked up to see her savior. It was a young man, a sword held firmly in his hand. Dark hair fell over one of his eyes. Upon closer inspection Aria saw that they were dark brown almost black. Despite his appearance of stealth and control, he could not have been older than herself. The expression he held sent chills down her spine. It was so cold. He examined the pile of dust that had once taken the shape of a horrible man.
"Disgusting," he said coldly before turning to leave. Aria was shaken from her stupor before running after him, following him into the long alley.
"Thank you," she said quickly, trying to get that out of the way. "May I ask your name?"
"It's none of your business," he said as coldly as his expression. Aria was miffed to say the least.
"Well can you at least tell me where you're going? Perhaps I could buy you something to eat to thank you for your help."
"No need." Aria stood still, ceasing to follow him and placed her hands on her hips, very vexed.
"For someone who goes around saving helpless victims, you could be a little more amiable."
"I didn't do it to save you," was his reply without stopping or even looking over his shoulder. "Those kinds of things disgust me." Trying to put this out of her mind, she attempted to find her goal once again.
"I was trying to find an old shop on this side of town, do you know of it?" She described the location and as she did, the young man slowed to look at her, finally giving some show of interest. Why was this girl not sniveling in a pile of tears? Any other would have been deterred and run home at this point, but more importantly, why was she going to that place?
"What business do you have there?"
"That information is none of yours," she said stubbornly.
"Then I can't help you."
"But you know of it?" she persisted.
"You are quite annoying," he replied as he continued walking away. Aria ran up to shorten the distance.
"And you're rude." She could have sworn he was smirking.
"I've been called far worse."
"Just tell me the direction and I'll be on my way." She was interrupted when she saw Vaugt cross the entrance to the alleyway and immediately she ducked back against the wall grabbing the young man's arm as well. The other looked at her quizzically as he took in their positions. He stood with his hands braced against the wall behind her, shielding her from sight. They were very close, close enough for his chin to brush the top of her head. She seemed completely oblivious as she waited to see if the coast was clear. Finally, she slipped out from under his arm, still eyeing the entrance wearily. Vaugt popped his head around the corner and Aria muffled a shriek as she took off around the corner with the big man lumbering after her. He courteously nodded to the young man as he passed before disappearing after her.
"What a strange girl," mumbled the young man before proceeding towards his earlier destination.
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"You went out hunting again, didn't you?" cried his mother upon entering the flat. His father was away once again, nothing unusual given their lifestyle, jumping from one place to another. He mumbled a reply before setting the sword in the corner. His mother snatched it up and held it in her hands as if she wanted to throttle her son.
"How many times have I told you not to sneak out in the middle of the day to do something so reckless? Why can't you go after girls in the middle of the day like normal vampires your age?" she demanded, knowing full well that it would never be taken to heart.
"As you can see I am fine and there was only one today, hardly worth getting upset over. Just a low-life Level E." His mother reacted instantly and slapped him across the face. This surprised him, she had never struck him after such an excursion.
"Those low-life Level E's were human once you know and don't you forget that." He lowered his head solemnly.
"Yes, Mother." Seeing the growing red mark on her son's pale skin, she sighed and placed her hands on her hips.
"Zero Kuran, what am I to do with you?" Zero shrugged absently, awaiting any further scolding. "Help me unpack some of these things, we might as well make this place look habitable by the time your father returns." Zero scowled.
"What's the point if we're only moving again?" Yuki shrugged in return.
"It can't be helped, but I refuse to live in a place that doesn't have some kind of color or furbishing." Seeing that it was pointless arguing with his mother's logic, he set to unpacking one of the few boxes that they brought with them in their travels. They never gathered souvenirs, trinkets, or keepsakes, just leaving behind one bloodied vampire after another. It had certainly taken its toll on the family's peace of mind.
"Where is father?" Zero inquired finally.
"He is off speaking with the nobles. Evidently there is something stirring once again from the North."
"Does it look like war?"
"Pray to the gods it's not. I can't take another one of those, not so soon." Zero silently agreed. Look at what it had caused last time.