I am so sorry for my long absence everyone! It was the end of the semester and Physics was kicking my butt. I'm all done now with the Spring semester so updates should be much more frequent :) Thank you all for your patience and continued support!

Sakura02: Yeah, I'm sure Shiki's very confused as to why his little clone is so hyper unlike him. At least he's learned not to leave her unsupervised.

Thanks: rainbowdragongirl101, rockbabyval, Sasu-Sama' Sarukiji-Sempai, Icealeena, KakashiisWifey, Shifuni, CuttlefishShiz, Rayne Taylor, teeny vanskiver44, guardianranger, Princesa de la Luna, shinigami777, Territory, BANEHiwatari, and narutofanhinatafan for reviewing.

"No."

Senna pouted at Akatsuki from the doorway that led from the train and onto the platform where they had just stopped. The others were still sleeping, save for Akatsuki whom had been ordered to go search for information. "Please, Akatsuki-nichan? I'm really bored. I've been stuck on this train forever it feels like." Senna whined.

Akatsuki sighed, running and hand through his hair irritably. He was about to tell her no again and send her back to Yuki and Kaname when he saw Senna doing her puppy eyes at him. "Hold my hand at all times."

Senna's eyes lit up as she hopped off the train. She grinned as she latched onto Akatsuki's hand. "You're the best, Akatsuki-nichan!"

The two walked into the village as the sun was creeping lower into the sky. Most shops were preparing to close while the bars began to prepare for the evening rush. Senna absorbed everything around her, her hold on Akatsuki remaining firm.

Akatsuki was looking around for someone to question when he felt Senna's hand go slack in his own. He looked down and saw Senna staring wistfully at something off to their right. Akatsuki sighed when he looked up and saw what it was that caused such a longing in Senna's eyes to appear.

A little girl, no older than Senna herself, was perched atop her father's shoulders. She was giggling happily as her mother walked along beside them, holding the father's hand, her other hand over her swollen belly. An aura of love and happiness was practically rolling off the tiny family as they walked down the street towards their home.

Senna stared after them, longing for a family like that of her own. She knew she should be grateful for Yuki and Kaname taking her in, and she was. She even loved the two Purebloods, but it wasn't the same. Even though Kaname and Yuki were in love, it wasn't like the young couple that had just walked by. There was always a darkness surrounding Kaname and even Yuki at times that made it difficult for Senna to completely feel safe and protected around the two as the little girl did with her parents. Senna craved a family like the one the little girl had. A family of unconditional love, a family that didn't keep secrets from each other.

"Senna…" Akatsuki called softly, tightening his grip on the little girl's hand. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to make that longing and sadness disappear from Senna's eyes.

Senna blinked out of her thoughts and tilted her face up to Akatsuki, a smile plastered on her face. "Sorry, Akatsuki-nichan. Let's go find people to talk to."

Akatsuki didn't know what else to say or do, so he simply nodded his head and the two began walking again. They spent the next part of the hour going from shop to shop, asking owners closing their stores if they knew of Jadoku. They received the same negative answer each time.

It was dark now and rain had begun pouring from the sky. Senna and Akatsuki were taking refuge in a small restaurant when the doors burst open and the father from earlier collapsed into the restaurant.

"Someone please help!" He gasped out.

Senna sucked in a breath as the smell of blood slammed into her. She could see blood gushing from the man's shoulder that had carried his daughter only two hours ago. "Akatsuki-nichan…." She reached over and grabbed his hand when she saw him close his eyes in concentration.

"What happened?" Akatsuki shouted over the worried murmurs that ran through the restaurant.

The man glanced over at Akatsuki and Senna as the owner of the restaurant helped him into a chair. "A man…he broke into our home…he was strong…he took my wife and child…someone…please…my wife is pregnant."

"Senna!" Akatsuki shouted as Senna was suddenly no longer at his side. He caught a glimpse of her hair disappearing out the door. By the time he got to the door, the little vampire child was gone. "Senna!"

Senna ran down the street, sniffing the air occasionally. Despite the rain muffling the smells around her, Senna was able to detect the sweet perfume of blood. She followed it to a run down looking house not far from the restaurant. She pushed her soaked bangs from her eyes before stepping into the house. The house was only one story. Senna stood, dripping wet in the entrance hallway. The hallway opened immediately into a dusty living area with a pitiful looking kitchen right beside it. There were only two doors and Senna could hear crying from the one directly to her right.

Cautiously, Senna placed her hand on the doorknob and gently pushed the door open. She sucked in a breath as she found the woman and the little girl huddled in a corner, the woman hugging her sobbing child. The scent of blood was coming from the wound on the woman's arm. Senna breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the wound wasn't a bite mark. "Are you two all right?"

The woman looked up in alarm. "Who are you?"

"Never mind that right now. Did he bite either of you?" Senna asked impatiently, looking around nervously. She found it rather odd that the vampire had just left his prey sitting there.

The woman shook her head. "No…" Her eyes widened as she looked at something over Senna's shoulder. "Look out!"

Senna leapt further into the room as the spot where she had just been standing was crushed under the force of the vampire's punch. Senna quickly bit her thumb, forming her blood sword that she had not been able to use in so long. "Let them go." She hissed.

The vampire cackled and shook his head. His stringy hair fell limply in his face and Senna realized with a sinking feeling that this vampire was falling to Level E. She glanced over at the mother and child. "Let them go, now." She didn't the vampire a chance to respond to her as she lunged forward, swinging her sword at him.

Senna's sword never reached the Level E vampire. Another vampire fell from the ceiling and landed on top of her. She let out a cry, her hold on her blood sword vanishing as she was slammed face first into the floor.

The vampire sitting on Senna was a female; another Level E. She looked as though she could've been the male's sister with matching stringy black hair. Senna struggled against the vampire, trying to escape from her grasp and swing her sword at her. She trembled as the vampire sniffed at her curiously.

"Pureblood?" The female questioned the male.

The male cocked his head to the side, ignoring the crying humans in the room. He crouched down in front of Senna, putting his foot down on both her hands. He grinned manically at Senna's scream as the sword disappeared. He picked up strand of her wet hair and sniffed it. The same questioning face crossed over his face and he took a deeper whiff of her hair. "No…Yes…Devour her…"

Senna's struggling renewed as she felt the female move her hair from her neck. She remembered the last time she'd been bit by a Level E vampire. It had been one of the most painful things ever. She squeezed her eyes shut as she felt the vampire's fangs brush her neck.

"Get off of her…now." A familiar, deadly voice hissed.

Senna looked up as soon as both Level E's leapt away from her, hissing at the new opponent. Senna shakily stood up and gave Akatsuki a trembling smile before skirting around the two vampires and going over to the terrified woman and child. "It'll be okay." She whispered soothingly.

Flames were already dancing around Akatsuki as he glared coldly at the two vampires. "Senna, take them back to the restaurant."

Senna nodded quickly, deciding it would be best to not argue with Akatsuki at this point. She tugged insistently at the woman's hand until the terrified woman finally stood up, holding her daughter, and allowed Senna to lead her out of the house. Senna saw the vampires move to chase after them, but they didn't far as they were engulfed in flames. Senna's pace quickened as she led the mother and daughter out into the rain and back to the restaurant.

"Thank you." The woman said softly as Senna stopped in front of the restaurant. They were all soaking wet from their mad dash through the rain. The woman opened the door and looked expectantly at Senna. When Senna didn't move, the woman's warm smile faltered. "Come inside."

Senna shook her head, remaining out in the pouring rain. "I have to wait for Akatsuki-nichan. He'll be back in a minute. We have to get back to the train."

The woman placed her daughter on the ground and went over to Senna. She knelt down in front of Senna and wrapped her in a wet, warm hug. "Thank you for everything. She kissed Senna's cheek before taking her daughter's hand and went into the restaurant.

Senna could hear the exuberant cries of joy that reverberated at the sight of the safe woman and child. Senna shivered as the rain soaked through her clothes and into her skin. She blinked as she felt someone pick her up and place her on their shoulders. She smiled and rested her head on top of the red haired vampire's. "Thank you for saving me, Akatsuki-nichan."

Akatsuki nodded as he walked back towards the train. There were so many things he wanted to say to Senna, but he couldn't find the words to say. He smiled as Senna kissed the top of his head, her small hands buried in his hair. "Let's not tell Kaname-sama or Yuki-sama about this."

Senna giggled. "Yeah…they'd probably freak out."