Chapter 1

In an organization that trains and brings up hunters.Located in the hearts of the Kyushu island,the tall building of Vampire Extermination Company Towers (V.E.C.T)stood upright.Its huge glass walls glittered in the sun's rays.Behind the tall building was a vast of about 7690 yard field equipped with training tools and tracks.To the right side of the field stood the dormitories,cafeteria and the hot springs and bath houses.A little bit further into the field stood all the trainees in two neatly formed lines with the trainer;a tall well built man in a V.E.C.T suit navy blue in color;walked inspecting the trainees.

"Alright then!The first five to the tracks!"

"Sir!"the trainees responded and proceeded as instructed.

"On your marks...GO!"

The gunshot sent them sprinting and Sosuke ran ahead of everyone.

"I love you my darling baby,"Sosuke's mother's voice rang in his head.

"Big brother!I passed my examinations!"his little sister's voice said.

As suddenly as the voices sounded,the bloody scene appeared in his mind.Sosuke had looked at the dead bodies before his gaze shifted to the vampire who had ended his family.Sosuke crossed the finishing line and leaned on his knees breathing heavily.

"5.0 seconds?Impressive."

"Thank you so much Toki senpai,"Sosuke said as he straightened up.

"Head for the next session,"Toki,the trainer,said and pat Sosuke's shoulder.

Sosuke nodded and headed to the climbing wall.

"Second group on the lanes!"Toki shouted.

Sosuke pulled on the rope to ensure it was firm and strong.After the confirmation,he began scaling up the wall,past the obstacles and ran to the finishing point.The sudden clap of hands caught his attention and he turned to the right and saw Shinobu walking towards him.

"3.0 seconds?I got to admit,you're good,"Shinobu said,"you're almost as fast as a vampire."

Shinobu was Sosuke's senior.He was 175cm tall and had a lean well built figure of a pole jumper.His hair was held in a small pony tail as some strands fell onto his face.As he talked or smiled a small dimple formed on the left side of his cheek.Shinobu had a heavenly figure and was perfect from every angle but his aggressive nature made him feared by both the trainees and the vampires.He may have seemed fragile and weak but on the field,he was a killing machine.

"Am I faster than you Shinobu san?"Sosuke asked and Shinobu swang his arm over his neck.

"You've been training hard.I think you're definitely faster,"Shinobu said a heart warming smile on his face.

"I just want to be like you.I really look up to you as my role model,"Sosuke said and Shinobu shuffled his hair.

"Come on then.Let your role model show you some skills,"Shinobu said and headed towards the boxing area with Sosuke.

"What did Toki teach you about hunting?"Shinobu asked as he picked a small dagger from the table.

"Toki said that if you want to hunt down and kill,you need to be stealthy,quiet and swift,"Sosuke said and Shinobu nodded.

"Alright,I'll teach you the basic defense moves."

"Okay."

"Let's pretend am the vampire,"Shinobu said and Sosuke nodded.

"First of all,you should be wary of the vampire's claws,one scratch and your body goes numb and that'll make it impossible to defend yourself,"Shinobu said and Sosuke nodded.

"Next avoid the fangs,"Shinobu said and stood strategically opposite Sosuke.

"Okay then.Let's see how your defense is."

Sosuke stood on the ready and Shinobu ran towards him and he blocked Shinobu's attacks avoiding the sharp training claws.

"Impressive.You're better than I thought,"Shinobu said panting lightly.

"I learn from the best Shinobu,"Sosuke said regaining his posture.

Shinobu smirked and attacked.Sosuke dodged all his attacks but Shinobu kicked him and he flew back hitting the rails.By this time,all the trainees had gathered to watch the duo fight.Shinobu walked towards Sosuke and helped him up.

"You okay?"

"Am fine."

"Maybe we should try this from a different angle.How about you attack me?"Shinobu asked and Sosuke looked at him wide eyed making him to chuckle.

"Here,use this to attack me,"Shinobu said handing Sosuke his tyger dagger.

"Why is Shinobu giving Sosuke his special dagger?"

"No one has ever touched it and right now it's in Sosuke's hands."

"Uh...is it a good idea for you to do this?I can use any dagger."

"You can but I want you to use this to attack me.Don't listen to their murmurs.Let's train,"Shinobu said and Sosuke reluctantly nodded.

"Rest assured Shinobu.I won't go easy on you,"Sosuke said and Shinobu laughed.

"You shouldn't.I'd love it if you attacked me with all you've got,"Shinobu said.

With the dagger in hand,Sosuke ran towards Shinobu attacking but Shinobu dodged all his attacks effortlessly and the trainees clapped.

"Great,you're moves are well off,"Shinobu said and kicked the dagger from Sosuke's hand and tied his hands behind his back,"but,you'll need more practice."

"I need a lot of practice,"Sosuke said and lay on his back.

"You'll make it to my level in no time,"Shinobu said and Sosuke sat up and looked at him.

"You don't have to lie to me.I need one complete year to get to your level of perfection,"Sosuke said and Shinobu shuffled his hair.

"Have faith Sosuke.If you believe you can do it,you'll be at my level within a month,"Shinobu said and Sosuke nodded.

"Yes."

"Alright then,that's enough for today.You should go freshen up,"Shinobu said as he picked his dagger and walked out of the ring.As he walked further away,the the trainees ran after him and Sosuke turned his attention to them.

"Thank you for today Shinobu,"he said in a low tone before he stood up and headed to his friends.

"Today's training was rough,"Kei said as he hang a towel over his hair drying it.

"Training is usually rough for you Kei,"Toma said as he took off his shirt.

"I don't agree with you Toma.Let's ask Sosuke,"Kei said and Sosuke turned to them.

"Um...did you say something?"Sosuke asked and Toma chuckled.

"Weren't you listening?"

"Not really...no."

"Ah Sosuke why are you only distracted when am the one talking?"

"Because all you talk about is dumb shit."

"Toma!Am not talking to you anymore,"Kei said a babyish pout on his lips.

"Am sorry Kei but what did you say?"Sosuke asked and Kei walked towards him and pat his shoulder.

"Ouch!"

"Are you okay?"Kei asked withdrawing his hand immediately Sosuke winced.

"Am fine.Just a painful sting.It should stop in a few,"Sosuke said as he rubbed his shoulder.

"Am so sorry,I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Oh?So you know how to apologize,"Toma said teasingly and Kei pouted.

"Enough Toma,you're making him uncomfortable,"Sosuke said and Toma nodded and waked to his drawer before Sosuke turned his gaze to Kei,"it's not your fault Kei,I think I got hurt from the training."

"Let me take a look,"Toma said and helped Sosuke remove his shirt.

"Whoa!It's so swollen and red,"Kei said and Sosuke sighed.

"How did you get this hurt?"Toma asked and Sosuke grind his teeth in pain as Kei ran his cold fingers over the wound.

"I was training with Shinobu today.I think I might have gotten hurt when..."

"You were training with Shinobu?"Toma asked and Sosuke nodded.

"That explains it.How can you go train with the blade no 0?"

"Maybe he was too focused in the love and forgot to take care of hi,self,"Toma said while chuckling.

"Love?What are you talking about?"

"Don't think we don't know you have a crush on Shinobu,"Toma said a devilish grin on his lips.

"Crush?On Shinobu?You guys have it all wrong.I mean I do like him but as a senior.He's my role model and idol."

Both Toma and Kei nod their heads before Toma pressed on the wound causing Sosue to scream.

"What was that?"Sosuke asked rubbing his shoulder to easen the pain.

"You'll never admit it huh?"

"Admit what Toma?"

"Nothing,let's get your wound disinfected."

"What's wrong with him?"

Kei shrugged and walked to his drawer as Sosuke and Toma walked out of the bathing houses.

"Got a wound from Shinobu?I swear that guy isn't human.How can he be that perfect?Did he get help from youkai or something?"Kei shook his head and put on his clothes and walked out of the houses and headed for the dinning hall.

Sosuke covered his mouth as Toma applied the ointment on the wound.

"You look really pathetic right now,"Toma said and poked the wound lightly causing Sosuke to groan in pain.

"You're not the one hurt Toma.Can you hurry up?"Sosuke asked not able to endure the pain any longer.

"Am done now.You can stop complaining like a baby,"Toma said putting the first aid kit away,"that ointment should quicken its healing."

"Mmmh,thanks,"Sosuke said and Toma nodded.

"You should rest up am heading to my room now,"Toma said and headed for the door.

"Goodnight."

"Night,"Toma said closing the door behind him.

Sosuke stood up and headed to the window,he opened it and walked onto the balcony.He held the rails and looked at the field before his gaze shifted to the starry sky.

"I hope you are happy wherever you are..mum and Ao,"Sosuke said as a tear drop fell on his tight knuckles.

"Alright!Today we'll test on your strength!"Toki shouted.

"Sir!"the trainees answered in unison.

"So..hmm..Kei's group come forward,"Toki said and Kei groaned and together with his group walked towards him.

"Yes Toki."

"Do you want the hard or hardest,"Toki asked and Kei sighed.

"Anything you choose will be fine,"Kei said and Toki smiled,"what's with that smile coach?"

"Shinobu!"

"Coach?"Shinobu said and walked towards him.

"I don't like where this is headed,"Kei said in thoughts.

"Kei's group will fight against Shinobu!"Toki said and the trainees clapped.

"A fight against him?Finally a worthy opponent."

"Worthy opponent?This guy is unbeatable,"Kei mumbled as he shok his head and walked to the ring.

After thirty minutes,Kei leaned on the ropes breathing heavily.

"You okay Kei?"Sosuke asked and Kei turned to him.

"Can't I just pretend am dead Sosuke?Am so tired and Shinobu looks energetic than ever,"Kei said,"doesn't he get tired?"

Sosuke leaned forward and touched Kei's forehead with his.

"Sosuke..?"

"You can do it.Even if you can't beat him,just try your best,"Sosuke said in a hush tone and Kei closed his eyes and let out a low sigh before grabbing Sosuke's hand which was on his cheek.

"Yes Sosuke!"Kei said and pulled away from him a smile on his face.

Sosuke nodded and headed back to Toma.

"Kei really loves you,doesn't he?"

"Yeah.Am like his elder brother,"Sosuke said and Toma nodded.

"But...don't you think he'd misinterpret your love and concern over him?"Toma asked and Sosuke thought for a while before turning to Toma.

"I don't think so.Kei is not that type of person."

"Okay if you say so."

"You fought well kid,"Shinobu said and helped Kei up.

"Thanks,"Kei said and limped out of the ring.

"Is it serious?"Sosuke asked and Kei nodded.

"Twisted my ankle."

Sosuke swang his hand over his shoulder as his right hand grabbed Kei's waist.

"Let's get you tended to."

"Slowly Sosuke.It really hurts,"Kei shouted his hand on Sosuke's shoulder and Sosuke pulled back panting.

"Not yet.It's not tight enough.It should be tighter,"Sosuke said and continued tightening the bandage as Kei groaned in pain.

"There!"Sosuke said and sat down.

"Thank you Sosuke but I think I dislocated a bone,"Kei said rubbing his ankle.

"Should I take a look?"Sosuke asked and Kei frantically shook his hands above his head.

"Am good.We should probably head to the meeting hall,"Kei said and Sosuke nodded and stood up.

"I'll help you,"Sosuke said as he supported Ki and slowly,they made their way to the hall where everyone was seated.

"Sosuke!Kei!Over here!"Toma called out to them and they headed towards him,"how's your leg?"

"Terrible!Sosuke tied the bandage a bit too tight and it really hurts,"Kei said clinging onto Toma's arm babily.

"You're the one who brought it upon yourself.Who told you to act all strong and fight Shinobu?"Toma asked and Kei pulled back and looked at him.

"Sosuke?Toma's bullying me again,"Toma said crying onto Sosuke's shoulder.

"There,there,"Sosuke said rubbing his head.

"You're being way too dramatic Kei,"Toma said and turned his attention to Chiba who walked in in the company of Toki,Shinobu and Jeyasu.

"Good day to all of you,"Chiba began.

"Good day madam,"the trainees replied in unison.

"I bet you're wondering why we called you in on such a short notice,"Chiba said and everyone nodded.

"Alright.First of all I'd like to thank you for all the hard work you've been putting into your training,"she said and everyone clapped,"so as you're reward,I'll release you from all your training for the next three months."

"Thank you Chiba,"everyone said clapping excitedly.

"You're dismissed,"Chiba said and walked out alongside the other seniors.

"Yes!No training for three months!"Kei said and Sosuke chuckled.

"When it seriously comes to something related to training,Kei switches personalities,"Toma said while chuckling.

"Hey!What do you mean by that?"Kei asked and Toma shrugged and stood up.

"Sosuke.."

"I know Kei,"Sosuke said and stood up,"should we head back together?"

"Sure am good with anything,"Kei said and Toma nodded his head in approval.

"Is something on your mind Kei?"Sosuke asked and Kei shook his head.

"Nothing Sosuke am just happy we get to be together again."

The train came to a stop and Sosuke,Kei and Toma got out.Kei stretched his hands above his head inhaling the city air.

"It's good to be back home.How I missed this clean air,"Kei said and Sosuke chuckled.

"Let's get moving Kei,"Toma said and made his way to the exit.

"What's wrong with him?Why is he in such a hurry?Can't I enjoy my peace of mind?"Kei asked and Sosuke shrugged.

"He might have something on his mind?"

"Should we help him?"

"No.That wouldn't be a good idea Toma will probably tease you or bully you."

"That's right Sosuke."

"What are you two doing stalling?Hurry up!"Toma shouted.

"Coming!Why does he have to be so loud?Does he think he owns this place?"

Sosuke smiled and as he neared the stairs,a familiar scent filled the air.He inhaled the air into his lungs and let it all out in a slow breath.His eyes scanned the crowd of people in search of the one with the scent.

"What are you doing Sosuke?We should get going,Toma's patience is not that good and you know it,"Kei said as he pulled Sosuke up the stairs.

"Do you smell that?"

"Smell what?Normal,clean and fresh air?"

"No.The air has a unique scent in it.Smells like...dark rum."

"Dark rum?"

"Yes"

"Has Sosuke also made a deal with the youkai?How can he smell such a scent and I can't?"Kei wondered in thoughts,"will they visit me next and give me super powers like the oni?I'd be unstoppable."

"Hurry up you two!"

"Coming Toma.Come on Sosuke let's go."

With one last glance at the crowd,Sosuke followed Kei and got into the waiting taxi Toma had stopped.