Song is Cold by Jorge Mendez

Hi guys :) Thank you for the positive opinions on Guilty Knight so far, I appreciate it, but please do show continued support as I am really hoping to get this story published once I complete it! Constructive criticism is very welcome, key word being CONSTRUCTIVE!

I'm usually not a fan of Vampire stories myself, but it's not going to be the stereotypical Vampire thing most of us may be used to seeing haha xD If you've been following me for awhile, you know I like to shake things up a little ;)

Seated at her desk in class, Aurey flicks her eyes up to the board at the front of the room for a moment, before tilting her head back down and scribbling something in her notebook.

Poised at the desk beside the lavender haired girl, Kalel casts Aurey a concerned side long look, the corners of her mouth pulled down. Aurey hadn't so much as spoken to her once during class and Kalel was worried for her friend. Aurey hadn't really been speaking to anyone much and while she maintained that she was fine, Kalel could see that that was a lie.

There was no way that Aurey was okay inside, not after losing her beloved little brother in such a horrible and unexpected way. The girl clearly didn't want to talk about it however. She'd always been somewhat secretive, ever since Kalel had met her. Aurey was an honest and kind person whom Kalel absolutely adored, but sometimes she just seemed stuck in her own hidden world, one that she didn't want to let anyone else into.

Aurey continues to look down at the open book on her desk, a solemn expression on her face. She knew Kalel was watching her again, like she'd done in every single class they shared. While she knew it was only because the ginger haired girl was worried for her, Aurey wished Kalel would just relax.

It was admittedly true that Aurey would have loved to be able to talk to her friends about her brother in detail, but seeing as they had both been raised as Vampire Hunters, how could Aurey ever truly explain their pasts? Kalel and Annistar just wouldn't understand, and Aurey didn't want to freak them out by telling them Vampires were real either.

"Do you think she's okay?" Aurey hears a girl behind her whisper, making her close her eyes. "She's been so quiet these last few days....."

"Aurey's a strong person" a male voice replies softly. "She'll be fine."

"Yeah but...." the girl argues, making sure to keep her voice down, "....It was her little brother. Even Aurey can't be that strong...."

Releasing a quiet sigh, Aurey turns around in her chair, causing the two people behind her to freeze. They both stare at Aurey with wide eyes, nervous that Aurey had heard them talking about her.

"While I appreciate your concern" the lavender haired girl says with a tiny smile, though it doesn't reach her eyes, "I'm really okay."

"But Aurey" the girl addresses, brows furrowing with concern as she and the boy next to her relax a little, "You've been avoiding everyone and some of us are getting worried."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" the boy asks, tilting his head to the side. He frowns when Aurey shakes her head vigorously, the large bow in her hair whipping back and forth.

"No thank you" the girl responds firmly, regarding her fellow students with serious eyes. "I just want everything to be as normal as possible and if everyone is fussing over me like I'm a victim, then it'll just make things worse. Some normality would be really appreciated."

Aurey turns her head as a loud bell suddenly begins to ring over the PA system, signalling the end of class. She briefly shuts her eyes and heaves a sigh of relief, spinning back around in her chair. Snapping her notebook shut, Aurey quickly scoops all of her belongings up into her arms and heads for the door, disappearing before Kalel has even risen from her own seat.

The girl blinks her hazel eyes, staring after Aurey anxiously. No matter what the girl said, Kalel knew that her friend wasn't really alright and she was going to help, whether her aid was welcome or not.

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Walking to the edge of the forest garden, Aurey stares aimlessly into its depths, before abruptly whirling around and dumping herself down on the bench seat at the base of the tree nearest her. She bends her knees and hugs them to her chest, feet resting on the bench. Aurey sighs again, leaning forwards to rest her forehead on top of her knees.

Three days. It had only been three days since Aurey had received the terrible news about her brother's suicide, yet it felt like a lifetime ago. Ever since the phone call from Aren's school, Aurey had felt numb. Her arms, her legs, her mind, everything. She couldn't even remember what being able to feel was like anymore.

All around Aurey, life went on, rushing about to try and find its next great excitement. All around her, people were laughing and enjoying themselves, revelling in their naive happiness.

How could they be happy when Aurey was so miserable? How could they be worrying about who liked who and what they were going to do on the weekend, when Aurey's last joy in life had left her? Could they not see that a fellow human had departed from the world? Did they not understand what Aren's death meant?

It meant Aurey wouldn't be able to call and nag about his grades. It meant she would never see him smile with happiness again. It meant she could make no more memories with him. It meant no one was ever going to depend on her again. It meant no one else would ever truly understand the pain of waking up and finding her parents dead.

Aurey closes her eyes, feeling them well up with tears. She had yet to cry about Aren's death and she wasn't going to start now. Aurey had to be strong. Aren wouldn't have wanted to make his big sister cry.

"Why did you do it you idiot?......" Aurey whispers, lower lip trembling. The lavender haired girl tightens her grip on her knees, hugging them even closer. However, upon hearing the sound of someone approaching her, Aurey quickly raises her head, blinking a few times to try and rid her eyes of their unshed tears.

"Oh Aurey......." Kalel murmurs sadly, kneeling down in front of the girl and gently taking her hands. "I knew you weren't really alright......"

"....You can talk to us you know" Annistar adds, an uncharacteristically warm look in her onyx eyes. "We're your friends, we're supposed to be able to help you when you feel like this."

"Please talk to us Aurey" Kalel requests, smiling up at her friend with wavering eyes. "It....It really hurts us to see that you're hurting so badly. Annie and I just want to help."

Aurey stares down at Kalel for a few moments, before switching her gaze to Annistar, the pink haired girl responding with a lop sided smirk. She steps over to the bench and drops down onto it, one foot resting on the seat casually.

"Feel free to start talking" Annistar invites bluntly, crossing her arms and closing her eyes, smirk still in place. "We're listening."

"That's right, we are!" Kalel confirms, smiling brightly. She laughs softly and releases Aurey's hands, settling back in the grass. She crosses her legs, adjusting her skirt and looking to Aurey expectantly.

Feeling uncertain, Aurey allows her shoulders to droop dejectedly, eyes downcast. For the past three days, the lavender haired girl had been wearing a mask to hide how she'd really been feeling, but maybe it would be a good idea to talk to her friends.

Maybe they wouldn't ever understand how she really felt, and Aurey couldn't bring herself to explain about her secret life as an agent of the Vampire Hunter Syndicate, but perhaps talking about Aren a little would give her some sort of relief. She'd always liked talking about him after all.....

".....I don't really know where to begin" Aurey laughs sadly, the weariness now very evident on her face. "I'm not sure what you want me to tell you guys."

"Just tell us how you feel Aurey" Kalel encourages gently, though she is surprised by the sudden change in Aurey's tone and expression. While she'd known the girl was hiding how she'd really been feeling these last three days, it was so strange to see Aurey like this. Usually she was so strong and cheerful. It was hard for Kalel to see her friend in such a way, and to think she'd been struggling with it all by herself too....

"I feel........abandoned" Aurey admits in a hushed voice, not having wanted to say it out loud. "I already lost my parents when I was a kid, and Aren and I stuck together ever since. I always had to look out for him, keep him out of trouble, protect him and watch over him as he grew up.........He was my last link to my parents, the only one who could understand what it was like......We only had each other to rely on, so what am I meant to do now that he's gone?"

Annistar opens her eyes and cautiously looks at Aurey as the girl drops her head into her hands, surprised by the shakiness in her voice. The pink haired girl had never heard her sound so vulnerable before and if she was honest with herself, it was almost a little scary. She didn't want to see someone as tough as Aurey like this.

".......Why do you think he did it?" Aurey asks quietly, slowly lifting her head and staring down into her palms. "Something bad must have happened, because when I spoke to Aren on the phone a few days before, he sounded happy......Do you think I could have done anything to stop him?"

"Don't blame yourself Aurey" Kalel answers in a strained tone, struggling to hold back her tears. "This isn't something you could have prevented. Don't blame yourself......And don't be mad at Aren either. I'm sure he had a good reason for what he did."

"From what I've heard" Annistar adds, looking away from her two friends and swallowing thickly, "You and Aren loved each other a lot. He wouldn't have meant to abandon you. I'm sure that wasn't his intention at all."

"......I suppose I'll never know for sure" Aurey sighs heavily, feeling a headache coming on. "I just wish he would've talked to me about whatever was bothering him......I'd do anything to stop him from.......From doing what he did....."

Placing her feet back on the ground, Aurey tilts her head back and rests it against the tree behind her, looking up at the sky through hooded eyes. They glaze over as she thinks about Aren, his cheeky, grinning face flashing through her mind.

Why had he done it? Why?......

Kalel, seeing that Aurey is already finished with the conversation, wipes at her eyes and begins fiddling with the ends of her straight cut hair, pursing her lips in thought.

"Do you know when the funeral is going to be Aurey?" the hazel eyed girl asks carefully, hoping she isn't pushing the subject. "I would like to come if you don't mind. I can finally meet Aren then."

"I'd like to come too!" Annistar quickly shouts, throwing one hand in the air as if she were waiting to be called on in class.

Aurey glances down at her two friends, seeing the closed eye smile on Kalel's face and the determined look on Annistar's, before shrugging her shoulders.

"I have no idea" Aurey mutters, brushing some lavender hair back from her eyes. "I haven't even thought about that yet......"

'I'll have to wait and see what the Syndicate are doing before I can even think of planning a funeral' the girl thinks to herself, biting her lip. 'I just don't want to call and discuss what happened to Aren again. It hurts to talk about him....'

"We understand Aurey" Kalel replies kindly, reaching forwards and patting her friend's knee. "When you do know what's going on with the funeral, please tell us so we can come too!"

"I will" Aurey smiles half heartedly, looking between Kalel and Annistar. ".....Thank you for worrying about me you guys."

"What're friends for?" Annistar asks with a smirk, coolly shrugging one of her shoulders. Kalel merely grins, giggling to herself. She was pleased that she'd finally gotten Aurey to talk about her feelings, even if it was only for a few minutes. Surely she'd feel a little better now.

Ring ring! Ring ring!

Aurey jumps as her phone begins to ring, before reaching into her pocket and pulling it out, curious as to who could be calling her. The girl's eyes widen slightly when she sees the name on her screen, jumping to her feet.

"Sorry you guys" Aurey says apologetically, already walking into the forest garden, "I need to take this. I might even be able to find out about holding a funeral......Anyway, I won't be long!"

Breaking into a jog, Aurey leaves Kalel and Annistar behind, only coming to a stop when she knows they are no longer within ear shot. Pausing to take a deep breath, Aurey presses a button on her phone and raises it to her ear, back leaning against a tree.

"Hey" the lavender haired girl greets, "This is Aurey."

"Aurey" a smooth male voice replies. "It's been quite awhile since I've heard from you. How are things?"

"Warren" Aurey sighs deeply, almost sounding relieved as she shuts her eyes, "I'm sorry I haven't called or stopped by the Syndicate lately, I've just been......Dealing with things."

"Yes, I heard about Aren" Warren states, his voice taking on a saddened tone. "Headmaster Lawrence called me about it.......I'm so sorry Aurey, I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you. He was a loyal agent, and his loss will certainly leave an impact on the Syndicate."

"Thank you Warren" Aurey says sincerely, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You're the only person who I can talk to about this. My friends here just can't understand me the way you can....."

"You know I'm always here for you Aurey" Warren reminds the girl fondly. "I took you and Aren in back when you were children, and I intend on being with you through this hard time as well."

Aurey tilts her head down and relaxes her shoulders, smile widening. If anyone could make her feel better about such a horrifying situation, it was Warren. He had selflessly taken her and Aren in twelve years ago, when he was only twenty years old. Being the head of the Vampire Hunter Syndicate, Warren had given the two a home and become their friend. He'd trained them up to be strong enough to defend their fellow humans and slay wayward Vampires, just as their parents had done.

The day Aurey found her parents dead in their room, Warren had personally arrived to check on the two Syndicate members. Aurey had known her parents hunted Vampires for a living, but she'd never seen one before, nor had she known they could be so violent. When Warren explained that her parents had been murdered by a Vampire, Aurey had been angry. So angry......Why had they done that to her family? Aurey's parents were good people, who only wanted to protect their fellow humans. It was unfair and Aurey had promised she'd never let another person ever feel the hatred and sadness that she now had to feel, the loss of her parents creating a void in her heart.

Warren had gone out of his way to train Aurey up to be as great of a Vampire Hunter as her parents, with Aren soon wanting to follow in his sister's footsteps.

She'd undergone some harsh training over the years, often ending up bloodied and bruised, but Aurey had never complained once. Her one goal in life had been to become a fully fledged Vampire Hunter and Aurey had focused all of her blood, sweat and tears into achieving that goal.

Aurey was proud to watch over Aren through his training as well, though he hardly needed any guidance. The kid had been a natural, breezing through his training and earning himself a reputation that matched Aurey's. Apart from Warren himself, only one other person had been considered as an even better Vampire Hunter than Aurey, though they had become somewhat more of a Mercenary than a Hunter now days.

"I appreciate that a lot" Aurey eventually replies, a thought coming back to mind. "Hey Warren, when do you think we might be able to hold a funeral for Aren? I haven't given it much thought yet, but two of my friends want to come and-"

"Oh" Warren interjects, pausing for a few moments. "I'm sorry to tell you this Aurey, but we won't be able to hold a funeral as such."

"What?" Aurey asks, squaring her shoulders and narrowing her eyes at the ground. "Why not?"

"Well, you see" Warren explains calmly, "We've already retrieved Aren's body from the school and taken care of it. We weren't planning on holding a funeral for him at all."

"Taken care of it?" Aurey asks incredulously, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What does that mean?!"

"Don't yell at me Aurey" Warren sighs. "I understand that you might be a little emotional right now, but the Syndicate decided that this was the best course of action. We will pay our respects of course, but a funeral? I'm afraid we just don't have the time for such an event right now. Surely you can understand? Saving the lives of our fellow humans is a much more important task."

Her heart thudding against her chest, blood simmering in her veins, Aurey glares at the ground, eyes welling with angry, frustrated tears. She bites her lower lip so hard, Aurey is certain she is going to draw blood, her free hand balling into a tight fist.

Why had Warren taken Aren's body without informing her? What had he done with Aren? Shouldn't it be up to Aurey what happens? No time for a funeral.......While Aurey could understand that Warren wanted his Hunters to focus on their hits, it just didn't make sense to pretend like Aren never existed! He deserved to be honoured properly!

"Warren" Aurey seethes in a low voice, struggling to keep her conflicting emotions in check, "What did you do with Aren's body? I at least want to bury him next to my parents."

"That won't be happening Aurey" Warren replies sternly. "Like I said, we at the Syndicate have taken care of everything for you. You don't need to focus on anything but completing your studies and taking care of the marks I send you. Oh, and continue keeping an eye on the Vampires at your school too. No doubt they'll slip up at some point and try to kill someone...."

"He's my brother Warren" Aurey argues, sounding almost pleading now. "I need to know what happened to Aren and get some sort of closure. Please, even if you don't have the body anymore, please organise a funeral for him. He deserves that much....."

"We don't know why he decided to end his life Aurey" Warren answers sympathetically. "He burned every single one of his belongings before hanging himself, so we couldn't even look for a clue."

"He what?" Aurey whispers in shock, before shaking her head and raising her voice. "Come on Warren, the funeral! Please stop avoiding the question!"

"Aurey......" Warren mutters, heaving another sigh, "....I'm not avoiding your question. I've already told you that we aren't having one, okay? Now, I have important business to attend to. Take care of yourself, and please, try to stay in touch?"

"..........I will" Aurey answers quietly, knowing she is powerless to change Warren's mind. Slowly lowering the phone from her ear as the man hangs up, Aurey places it back in her pocket and looks down at the ground, a lump in her throat.

Her eyes shining with tears, Aurey's face twists into a pained expression, the devastation of losing her brother and frustration with Warren's stubbornness washing over her like an icy wave. The girl tilts her head down into her hands and begins to sob, tears dripping from between her fingers.

Aurey didn't want to be strong. She didn't want to pretend she was okay. She had lost her brother, a friend that she'd never be able to see again, and it hurt. Even when Aurey had seen her dead parents as a child, her heart hadn't felt as if it were breaking into pieces like this.

Yes, it had been very, very difficult when they'd been murdered, but Aurey had channelled all of her emotions into one back then. Anger. She'd been angry as a young child. Her parents had been taken against their wills......But Aren. Aurey had protected him and loved him, yet he had chosen to leave her.

There was no anger towards Aren though. No anger towards anyone. He must have been in a desperate situation to choose such a shocking way out of it. No.......For Aren, there was only sadness. Loneliness and regret on Aurey's part as well perhaps, but mostly just a crushing sorrow that the girl didn't know how she was going to escape from.

What had Aren's last thoughts been? Was he scared before he died? Was he sad? Maybe even as sad as Aurey? Had his last thoughts been of Aurey, or maybe even their parents?......Was he with them now?

'Who's going to be with me now Aren?' Aurey wonders internally, still crying miserably into her hands. 'Now that you're gone, who can help me out of this?.......'

"Aurey?" a male voice asks softly, causing the girl to freeze in place, eyes flying wide open.

Seeing Riah suddenly standing before her, his maroon eyes filled with genuine concern, Aurey swiftly drops her hands from her face and swipes her tears away, embarrassed that the Vampire had found her in such a pathetic state.

Riah takes a step towards Aurey, having seen that the girl had been crying, her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes shining. Knowing that Aurey is already very wary of him, Riah approaches the girl cautiously, merely wanting to see if she's alright. The Vampire never thought he'd see the day where someone like Aurey was crying so helplessly, so whatever had happened to her must have been bad.

"Are you okay Aurey?" Riah inquires, his tone warm, "What's wrong? Did someone do something to you?"

Aurey glares at Riah for a moment, only to scowl when another tear slides down her cheek. The girl immediately whirls around to try and hide the fact that she'd been crying, irritably wiping at the stray tear.

"What do you care?" Aurey demands to know, her voice still shaking a little.

"Well, I can hardly just ignore a crying girl" Riah says with a shrug, not taking Aurey's harsh tone to heart. "Especially when it's you. I didn't think you were the type."

"I'm not crying!" Aurey protests, crossing her arms childishly. Riah tilts his head to the side, some of his shaggy hair falling over his eyes as he gives Aurey a dubious look.

"Alright then" the Vampire presses, clearly not believing the lavender haired girl at all, "Why were you not crying then? What happened?"

Aurey deadpans at Riah's mocking tone, struggling not to slap a hand to her face. Why had he even turned up in the middle of the day anyway? Shouldn't he be sleeping right now, like all of the other Vampires?

"Why are you even here anyway?" Aurey asks pointedly, unamused with Riah's presence, as usual. "Are you stalking me or something?"

Riah's face brightens at that question, a bemused expression replacing his look of worry. The Vampire chuckles to himself, placing his hands behind his back and innocently strolling around Aurey.

"As much as you might enjoy that Aurey" Riah teases, grinning when the girl turns further away so he can't see her face, "No, I'm not stalking you right now."

Remaining silent for a few moments, to try and control her rising temper, Aurey abruptly spins on her heel and throws her hands on her hips, eyes narrowed up at Riah.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping in a coffin somewhere right about now?" she growls in annoyance, only for a large vein to appear on the side of the girl's head when Riah bursts out laughing.

"Wow, you're sure being unusually funny today" the brunette points out, his eyes glittering, entertained. "I bet my answer to your question about what I'm doing here will ruin your sense of humour though."

".......What are you talking about Vampire?" Aurey asks with an aggravated sigh, pressing her fingertips to her temple.

"I've got way too much on my mind right now" Riah states, pouting cutely. "That's why I'm not sleeping at the moment. I can't."

"I don't care" Aurey informs the brunette lowly, just wanting him to get to the point. "Why are you wandering around out here?"

"Cienna has run off again" Riah announces cheerfully, his teeth sparkling in a charming smile. "I've got no clue where he is."

Aurey stares at Riah in utter silence, not even blinking. He continues to smile brightly, as if he hasn't a care in the world, as another vein appears on the side of Aurey's head, her eyebrow twitching with anger.

"Are you kidding me?!" Aurey explodes, throwing her fists into the air with exasperation. "Again?! Didn't we just discuss this problem?! You're supposed to be keeping an eye on the other Vampires! What if he hurts one of the Day School students? I don't want to see any of my friends get attacked by a Vamp-"

Aurey cuts herself off, blinking when Riah places his hand on her head. He looks down at the girl though half lidded eyes, head tilting to the side and a cheeky smile on his face.

"I'll find him before anything happens to your friends Aurey" Riah assures the girl gently, "Don't waste time thinking about it......Just worry about yourself for once, okay?"

Aurey's sapphire eyes begin to widen, the cool touch of Riah's hand sending a small chill down the girl's spine. The Vampire notices the look of shock and uncertainty on Aurey's face, though he makes no move to take his hand away.

Clearly Aurey was going through something quite unpleasant, no doubt regarding her brother's suicide, and while there was no way the girl would ever let Riah help her out, he could at least try to do so, in his own subtle way.

"Hey Aurey!" a voice calls, jolting the girl. "Where are you Aur- Riah!"

Kalel skids to a halt at the sight of the handsome Vampire, her hazel eyes widening in admiration, cheeks flushing a cute shade of pink. She clasps her hands together under her chin as a sunny smile lights up her face, with a stoic Annistar strolling into view, hands in her pockets.

Seeing the way Annistar raises a questioning eyebrow at her, Aurey's face turns bright red with embarrassment. How must this look to them? Aurey hated Riah and the other Night School students, so it was no wonder Annistar was giving her such a sceptical look!

Aurey viciously swats Riah's hand away and darts backwards, her face burning as she glares down at the ground, suddenly fascinated by the dirt underneath her feet. Riah watches the girl, highly amused by her reaction, only to raise his hand in a wave as Kalel runs over to him.

"Oh Riah!" Kalel laughs, bouncing up and down with excitement. "It's lovely to see you! How are you?"

"I'm doing well" Riah replies, bowing his head politely, to which a star struck Kalel can't help squealing. "How are you Kalel?"

"You know my name?!" the ginger haired girl gasps, ceasing her bouncing to stare up at Riah in amazement. "Oh! I mean, I'm also doing well, thank you for asking!"

"We came to see what was taking you so long" Annistar says to Aurey, though she drags her pointed gaze over in Riah's direction as well, "But now I see."

"It's not whatever you're thinking Annistar!" Aurey protests, waving her hands back and forth. "I was taking a phone call and he just came out of nowhere!"

"I'm creepy like that sometimes" Riah adds cheerfully, the closed eye smile on his face making Kalel swoon in a dreamy fashion. Annistar just rolls her eyes, though she can't help smirking at Riah's joke. Well, she hoped it was a joke anyway.

"So, did you find out about Aren's funeral?" Annistar asks, recapturing Kalel's attention, the shorter girl skipping over to her. "Do you know if we'll be able to come with you?"

Riah opens his eyes at this and watches Aurey intently, curious. Had he been right? Was she crying over something to do with her little brother before?

"Oh.....Uh....." Aurey replies awkwardly, brows furrowing as she glances around, trying to think of an excuse. She couldn't very well tell Kalel and Annistar about Warren and what he'd said. "Sorry guys, it looks like a funeral has already been held without us."

Kalel's mouth falls open at that, disappointed and heart broken for Aurey that she'd missed her own brother's funeral. Annistar narrows her dark eyes, jaw setting in place.

"What?!" Kalel cries in anguish, diving forwards and placing her hands on Aurey's arms. "Oh Aurey, I'm so sorry! Why weren't you told about it? Who organised his funeral without you?"

"My uh, my Guardian took care of everything so I wouldn't have to" the lavender haired girl responds, sadness in her downcast eyes. She tries to shrug it off though, forcing a smile onto her face. "Oh well, at least I don't have to stress about organising it anymore......"

"Aurey....." Kalel trails off, watching her friend anxiously, dainty brows furrowing. Annistar gives Aurey a flat look, before raising one hand and smacking the girl over the head with it.

"Ow!" Aurey barks, jumping away from Annistar and looking at the pink haired girl as if she's crazy. "What was that for?!"

"Stop pretending like you're okay" Annistar commands seriously, Aurey's hostile expression swiftly falling into a more solemn, vulnerable one. "You're allowed to be sad you know. Angry even, just something! Stop walking around wearing a mask with a happy face all the time Aurey. It's frustrating! No one in your position would be acting tough, like you are right now!"

"Annie....." Kalel interjects timidly, holding out one hand. "Don't yell at Aurey, she's just confused. She doesn't know how to feel right now......."

"Whatever" Annistar sighs, waving her hand in a dismissive way. "Just......Cry about it or something. You don't have to be a robot."

Riah smiles faintly when Aurey casts him a subtle warning look, the Vampire holding up his hands innocently. He wasn't going to tell the other girls that he'd just caught Aurey crying. That'd be their own little secret for now, until Riah needed to blackmail the Vampire Hunter of course, then he'd probably bring it up.

"Hey....." Kalel whispers, her eyes widening as a smile begins spreading across her face. "Hey, I've got a great idea! What if we hold our own funeral service for Aren?!"

"Huh?" Aurey and Annistar ask at the same time, a question mark appearing above the lavender haired girl's head.

Kalel nods vigorously, looking between her two friends and clapping her hands with delight, growing more and more eager about her idea with every passing second.

"Yeah!" she continues, eyes shining. "We can set up a little shrine for him and well, it won't be a proper funeral, but we can hold a memorial service for him or something! Would you like that Aurey? I know it's not the same as actually attending his funeral, but it's something.......Right?"

Aurey stares at Kalel in wonder and thought, as Annistar pulls a face, shaking her head.

"When exactly would we do that?" the girl asks, to which Kalel pokes out her tongue and flicks one of Annistar's ponytails playfully.

"We could sneak out and do it at night" the ginger haired girl states deviously, though a cute giggle at the end of her sentence ruins the facade. "Tonight even!"

Annistar stares at Kalel with wide eyes, never having expected her to even think about breaking the rules. Especially in front of someone like Aurey, who tended to strictly obey the rules, even more so now that she'd been elected as the Day School Rep.

The pink haired girl's face quickly darkens into a devilish smirk, with her nodding in agreement. Kalel throws her hand out and gives Annistar an appreciative thumbs up, while Aurey blinks a few times, before looking over at Riah.

He stares back, only to raise both of his eyebrows and cause Aurey to narrow her blue eyes. Here she was, yelling at him for not obeying the rules, yet she was now considering breaking them herself. What kind of example was she? How could Aurey expect Riah, or anyone really, to behave according to the Institute's rules, when she wasn't setting a good example?

"Shut up" Aurey orders, jabbing a hand at Riah as he opens his mouth to speak. "I never agreed to it and we never even discussed it!"

That said, Aurey places one hand on Annistar's back and her other one on Kalel's, the lavender haired girl roughly shoving them both back towards the Day School. She turns her head and sends Riah another warning look as all three girls leave the forest garden, the Vampire waving back cheerily in a bid to annoy Aurey one last time.

When they disappear from sight, Riah drops his hand and yawns, rolling his neck. He folds his arms over his chest and stares into trees thoughtfully, trying to blink away the tiredness from his eyes.

"I wonder if Alley's up for an outing?" Riah wonders out loud, turning around and heading back towards the Night School. Cienna could wait for now. He'd be back before sunset anyway, like usual.

________________________________________________________________________

Aurey turns her head left and then right, checking to make sure no cars are coming along the road. Darkness meets her gaze on both sides, the road seemingly disappearing into an endless void.

"I never realised how creepy it is out here at night" Kalel whispers, pulling her scarf up to cover her mouth as she scurries along beside Aurey. "But then, I never leave school at night time either."

"It's so quiet" Annistar muses, pausing on the other side of the road and glancing back at her two friends, hands pushed deep into the pockets of her thick coat. "It's almost like there's no one else around except us."

".......Hopefully there isn't" Aurey murmurs, watching as a puff of warm air escapes her lips, looking like a tiny cloud of mist in the night's chill.

Gesturing for Kalel to walk ahead of her, Annistar already ascending the small incline ahead of them, Aurey keeps a keen eye out for any signs of movement in the surrounding forest. She wasn't a fool. While she and her friends may have been out to pay their respects to Aren, it was highly likely that there were Vampires out and about right now as well.

Aurey places one hand inside her coat, patting her waist gingerly. Concealed beneath her coat and shirt, Aurey had decided to strap her anti-Vampire guns on, on the off chance they did happen to run into a hungry Vampire. The girl hoped they wouldn't, but you could never be too sure, especially at night....

Aurey suddenly freezes on the other side of the road, eyes darting to her right at a soft rustling sound. She hears her heart pumping in her ears, holding her breath for a few moments. Was that just the wind? An animal perhaps?

"Hurry up Aurey!" Kalel calls from the top of the incline, standing amongst the trees and snapping Aurey out of her guarded state. She turns her flashlight down to the taller girl, just about blinding her. "Don't dawdle back there now!"

Nodding, Aurey casts one more suspicious look to her right and jogs up to her two friends, before the three of them disappear into the dark forest, the night giving it an eerie feeling. Kalel visibly shivers as she looks up at the sky, barely able to see any stars through the thick foliage above.

"This looks like a good spot" Annistar decides, pointing to a particularly large tree, its gnarled roots protruding up through the ground. "Actually, it's perfect. We can set the candles on top of those roots."

"Ah, what a great spot!" Kalel agrees, delightedly. "Good job Annie!"

Glancing around as both Kalel and Annistar kneel down before the tree, the pink haired girl emptying some items from the bag she'd brought, Aurey can't help feeling a little restless. She just wanted to forget about Vampires for a few moments and honour her brother's life, but she can't help feeling as though she and her friends are being watched.

Maybe she was just being paranoid, but Warren had always taught Aurey and the other Vampire Hunters he'd trained, to follow their instincts. They were never wrong he'd told them.

"Aurey" Annistar addresses, catching the girl's attention and making her look down, "Does this look okay to you?"

Aurey feels a pang in her heart straight away, eyes focusing on the small photo frame sitting at the base of the large tree. Aren's grinning face looks back at her, his lavender hair blowing around his face and his sapphire eyes glinting cheekily in the sunlight.

That was the last time Aurey had actually gotten to spend time with her brother and she'd taken him to the beach as a surprise. Aren adored the beach and was a surprisingly good swimmer. They'd had such a fun time that day, just the two of them running through the sand, splashing in the waves and eating so much ice cream, they'd both ended up feeling ill that night.

Aurey slowly steps over to the tree, Annistar shuffling out of the way as the blue eyed girl kneels down, still staring at the photo of Aren. Scattered around the frame, small white flowers lie prettily in the grass, with Annistar setting up a small vase on either side of the photo. Kalel hands the girl a few stalks of lavender, which Annistar then places in the vases, Aurey's eyes beginning to water.

Smiling sadly, Kalel pulls out a packet of matches and lights a small, yellow candle, placing it on top of the large tree root to Aurey's left. The tiny flame flickers brightly in the darkness, casting it's warmth on Aren's make shift shrine.

"Here Aurey" Kalel says softly, holding out the other candle. "You can light this one."

Unable to say anything due to the lump in her throat, Aurey nods and accepts the candle, pulling it into her lap. With a shaking hand, the girl strikes a match and lights the wick, before reaching out and placing her candle on the tree root to her right.

Squeezing in on the other side of Aurey, with Annistar already kneeling on her left, Kalel folds her legs beneath her and sits on them, hands on her knees. Glancing at Aurey however, Kalel is unable to resist setting one comforting hand on the girl's back, able to see her eyes shining with unshed tears as she looks to her brother's picture.

"Should we all say something about Aren then?" Annistar asks lowly, to which Kalel and Aurey nod in agreement, though the lavender haired girl remains silent.

"......I can go first if you like Aurey" Kalel offers gently, only for her friend to nod once again, briefly closing her eyes. The ginger haired girl smiles back, tilting her head down and holding her hands up in front of her mouth, palms pressed together.

"I know we never met each other Aren" Kalel begins in a soft voice, "But after everything Aurey has told me about you, I feel like we're friends in a way. My name is Kalel by the way, just in case you've never heard anything about me before."

"I don't really know what to say to you other than thank you Aren. You made Aurey really happy while you were here, and that makes me happy. She was always telling us about how well you were doing in school, how proud she was of you and how much she loved you, so I know that you must have been a wonderful person...."

Kalel pauses for a moment, her voice beginning to shake. She hears Aurey sniffing beside her, the girl really struggling to hold back her own tears.

"I hope that, wherever you are now, you can be happy Aren" Kalel finishes, a tear dripping down her cheek. "Please watch over Aurey to be sure that she stays happy as well, and make certain that her dreams are always peaceful. Thank you for being there for her when nobody else could be and thank you for the happiness you brought her as well. Please, rest in peace Aren......"

Opening her eyes, Kalel drops her trembling hands down into her lap and bites her lip, vision blurred due to her tears. She doesn't cry out loud however, not wanting to make the situation any more difficult for Aurey than it already is.

Aurey doesn't look at Kalel, nor does she make any sound, but she reaches over and covers one of the ginger haired girl's hands with her own in a silent thank you. The movement causes Kalel to smile, glad that she had managed to do something right.

"I guess I'll go next" Annistar speaks up, sounding strangely nervous as she holds her hands up in front of her face, "Though I doubt I'll have anything as good to say as Kalel...."

"Just say whatever you want Annie" Kalel encourages. "It doesn't have to be very long."

"Alright then" Annistar sighs lightly, a little uncomfortable with the emotional situation she has found herself in. "Uhh, hey Aren, I'm Annistar, one of Aurey's room mates. You've probably heard a lot of stories about me yelling and beating people up, but I just wanted to assure you.......They're all true. So don't worry, now that you're gone, I can be there to support Aurey and stuff, though I'm sure Kalel will try to help as well. Umm.......yeah, I hope you're happier wherever you are now and rest in peace...."

Feeling embarrassed, Annistar narrows her eyes down at her lap, blushing slightly. Kalel sends the girl a tiny smile however, assuring her that she had done well. Now, it was Aurey's turn, though neither Kalel or Annistar were sure if she was going to open up in front of them or not.

"Are we too late to join in?" a male voice asks, making Kalel gasp with fright as Annistar looks back over her shoulder with wide eyes. Aurey leaps to her feet and whirls around, scowling, only to blink in surprise when two familiar people appear out of the darkness.

"What're you two doing here?" Aurey asks harshly, glaring between the blonde and the brunette. She didn't know why they'd shown up like this, but Aurey certainly didn't want to have to deal with them right now. This was serious.

Riah stands with his hands in the pockets of his black coat, fur lining the collar and a red scarf covering his mouth. He regards Aurey through serious, hooded eyes, realising that his usual cheeky behaviour would not be appropriate right now.

Poised beside the brunette, Alley blinks his green eyes and steps forwards, smiling kindly. He moves carefully, not wanting to spook Aurey or annoy her anymore than their mere presence had already seemed to.

"Riah told me about what happened to your younger brother" Alley says warmly, bending down and holding out a pretty, yellow flower towards Aurey. "We have merely come to pay our respects to both him and you Miss Walker, if you'll let us...."

Clasping her hands together under her chin, Kalel smiles at the two Vampires affectionately, her eyes wavering at their caring behaviour. Though Aurey didn't like the Night School students, Kalel couldn't imagine she would reject them right now. It was very selfless of them to walk through the cold night to honour someone they don't even know.

Aurey stares down at the yellow flower, her eyes widening and her sharp expression softening. She raises her sapphire eyes to Alley's face uncertainly, confused by the sincerity and warmth in his own eyes. Could these Vampires really not hold any ulterior motives? Why would they come all this way just to pay their respects to Aren? It didn't make any sense, and Aurey didn't trust them for a second.......However....

"No funny stuff" Riah promises in a low tone, seeing the way Aurey glances over at him suspiciously. "Alley and I won't say a word if you like. We're just here to pay our respects to the departed."

Aurey's brows furrow in further confusion at Riah's reserved behaviour. She'd never once witnessed him like this before, and it was unsettling. At least when he was making stupid jokes and annoying her, Aurey knew what to expect. This sombre Riah......Aurey didn't know how to feel about that at all.

Annistar gives Alley a tight lipped smile as he offers her the yellow flower, the girl accepting and dropping it into the vase on the left of Aren's photo. Riah then steps forwards, holding out a second yellow flower to Aurey, his maroon eyes staring into her wary, blue ones.

She hesitantly reaches out, not breaking eye contact with Riah as she takes the flower in her hand and retreats backwards. He makes no move to come any closer however, instead, lowering himself down onto his knees. Alley walks back over to Riah and does the same, the two Vampires waiting patiently for Aurey to continue.

Still feeling uncomfortable with the situation, due to her two friends being unaware of the very real danger kneeling behind them, Aurey sighs lightly and places Riah's flower into the second vase.

Easing herself back into a kneeling position, Aurey looks into Aren's sapphire eyes, so similar to her own, her breath catching in her throat once again. She didn't want to do this. She didn't want to say good bye to her brother. Aurey wanted him back here, even if she never got to see him ever again, as long as Aren was alive, the girl would be satisfied with that....

Pressing her palms together and raising her shaking hands up in front of her mouth, Aurey laces her fingers together and closes her eyes. On either side of her, Kalel and Annistar bow their heads, with the ginger haired girl gripping the hem of her coat so tightly, her knuckles begin to turn white.

Alley also bows his head, folding his hands in his lap and shutting his eyes, as Riah subtly glances around, his mouth turned down at the sides. He turns and looks over his shoulder, checking the forest behind him. Upon hearing the sound of Aurey's voice however, the brunette turns back around, tilting his head downwards.

"Aren......" Aurey begins hesitantly, sounding scared, "I don't know why you chose to leave this earth and I suppose no one but you will ever know, but please, I need you to know this......I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't know you were having problems. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I'm sorry for not being a good sister to you....I'm sorry for so many things, but mostly, I'm sorry for not crying when I heard about what happened to you. I'm sorry I got mad and thought a lot of horrible, selfish thoughts. I didn't mean any of them, I was just......I was just so heartbroken to know that you were gone and that I....I couldn't save you......"

Riah raises his eyes to Aurey's back as the girl's voice breaks, tears streaming down her cheeks. He feels a painful tug in his heart, sad to see Aurey so distraught. While she was known around the Night School for being cold hearted and unkind to the Vampires, Riah knew that wasn't her true self. He'd seen her with the Day School students too many times to think so badly of her. She had stood there and argued many a time with him and even some of the others, wanting nothing more than for her fellow humans to be safe.

Aurey may have been a Vampire Hunter, but Riah still couldn't see her as an evil person and to witness her like this, broken down, it just didn't feel right to the brunette. He almost wished she would yell at him to go away, just so this uneasy feeling would leave him.

"You're the best brother anyone could have ever asked for" Aurey continues in a hushed voice, no louder than a whisper, "And I hope that now, you're at peace. I hope you've been reunited with Mom and Dad, because I know they'll have been worried about you. Make sure you tell them that I'm doing okay too, alright? I don't need them worrying about me as well....."

Opening her tear filled eyes, Aurey leans forwards and gently presses her palm over Aren's photo, her mouth turning up into a quivering smile.

"Rest in peace now little brother" she whispers. "I love you........."

Leaning back, Aurey wipes at her eyes, only for Kalel to fling herself at the girl, enveloping her in a hug and sobbing into her shoulder. Aurey tilts her head to the side and rests her cheek on Kalel's hair, looking over when Annistar places a comforting hand on her other shoulder. The pink haired girl winks at Aurey, before rising to her feet and moving to blow out the two candles.

"I'm sure your brother appreciates that you've all honoured him in this way" Alley states gently, he and Riah climbing to their feet. The blonde Vampire walks over Aurey and Kalel, offering them both of his hands. "I'm certain he could feel the love you expressed to him, wherever he may be."

"Yes, I agree" the ginger haired girl responds with an appreciative smile, taking Alley's hand and allowing him to help her to her feet.

Alley gives the girl a closed eye smile, looking back to Aurey, who stares up at him dubiously. Her eyes drop to the Vampire's extended palm, but before she can make a decision, Alley reaches down and latches onto her hand, carefully pulling Aurey to her feet.

"We're not all out to get you Aurey" the blonde whispers in her ear, winking as he leans back. "Come now, we'd best be getting back to the Institute before someone realises that we're all missing."

"Who cares?" Annistar scoffs, shoving her hands in her pockets and raising one eyebrow at Alley. "It won't be the first time I get a detention or get threatened with suspension."

"Well, while you may not mind having all of those blots on your record Miss Sakurai" Alley replies cheekily, his knowledge of her last name surprising Annistar, "I personally have a record that I would prefer to keep spotless!"

Annistar chuckles lowly at that, smirking as she and Alley head back down the incline, with Kalel running after them, panicking that she will be threatened with suspension as well.

Riah watches as the three descend back towards the road, only to turn his head, seeing that Aurey is now standing before the make shift shrine, staring down at Aren's photo.

".........We'd better get going as well Aurey" the Vampire suggests lightly. "We don't want to let them get too far ahead of us."

Aurey's neck wrenches around, her brows furrowed and a hard expression on her face. Riah's eyes widen a little when he sees the tears filling Aurey's own eyes however, her turned down mouth quivering slightly. The girl stares at him in silence for a few moments, before turning around and walking past, hands buried in her pockets. Riah follows as Aurey leaves, walking beside her, though he too remains silent. She clearly didn't want to talk.

Aurey stares at the ground as she walks, crossing the road without so much as even looking for any possible oncoming cars. If one hit her, at least she'd get to be with Aren and her parents again.

As they head back to the school, Riah still beside her and the others up ahead, Aurey is highly aware of the Vampire's proximity to her. Not to mention Alley was walking alongside her two best friends, laughing with the girls as if he were the same as them. Riah and Alley could attack any one of them in a split second, and it would be too late to do anything. Aurey knew how fast Vampire's could kill unsuspecting humans, so why wasn't she doing anything about it?

While Aurey didn't trust either Riah or Alley one tiny bit, she had to admit, she'd felt rather touched when they'd shown up to pay respects for Aren. They hadn't known him, nor did they have any reason to even so much as pretend they cared about him, yet they had decided to sneak away from the Institute, against the rules, merely to kneel in silence alongside Aurey and her friends.

Aurey sneaks a peek up at the tall Vampire walking beside her, eyes hooded. Knowingly or not, the brunette had matched Aurey's slow pace, making sure to stick by her side for whatever reason, his serious eyes focused straight ahead.

It had to have been Riah's idea to come to Aren's memorial, because Alley wouldn't have known a thing about it unless the brunette had told him. It was basically Kalel and Annistar's fault for suggesting the service in front of Riah, but all the same, it had been unusually kind of the Vampires to spend their time like this.

Seeming to notice that he is being stared at, Riah looks down at Aurey, his serious expression lightening a little as he raises his eyebrows in a silent question. The lavender haired girl sighs, releasing a puff of warm air, before she gives Riah a hard look.

"While I appreciate what you Vampires did tonight" Aurey mutters, averting her gaze, unable to hold Riah's eye, "Don't think that this makes us friends or anything. I'm still a Vampire Hunter and you're still what you are too."

A lop sided smile appears on Riah's face as he watches Aurey for a few more moments, the girl staring at the three people up ahead, her face twisting into a confused and thoughtful expression. Riah looks in the same direction, his smile broadening when he sees Kalel giggling at something Alley had said.

Maybe he could convince this Vampire Hunter that humans and Vampires really could exist together in harmony. Alley didn't seem to mind the humans and they certainly didn't seem bothered by him either.

Riah would just have to prove it to Aurey.

________________________________________________________________________

"Well, I certainly hadn't expected to see Miss Walker break down like that" Alley admits, seated comfortably in one of the armchairs of the Night School foyer. He holds up his glass of water and drops a large, red capsule into it, watching as the clear liquid soon begins to thicken and bleed into a deep crimson colour. "I didn't think she was the type to behave in such a way."

"It's definitely weird to see her like that" Riah agrees with a chuckle, raising his own glass of red liquid towards Alley, before taking a swig. "But it's like I told you Alley, she's not as bad as everyone in the Night School thinks. I mean, yeah, she's a Vampire Hunter, but other than that...."

"Other than the fact that she murders others of our species" Alley teases, rolling his eyes, "She seems as though she could perhaps be a good person. I didn't really believe you before, but there's hope for her yet."

Riah nods his head, smile fading as he stares down into his glass, carefully sloshing the red liquid around in a preoccupied manner.

"They definitely got into the Day School alright?" the brunette questions seriously, hooding his eyes.

"Yes, I made sure they returned safely" Alley assures his friend, his light hearted humour also dissipating. ".......Do you really think he was there?"

"I saw him" Riah confirms, eyes narrowing as he tightens his grip on the glass, a crack appearing in the smooth surface. "It was only for a second, but I saw him hiding out there. I can't mistake those eyes of his."

Alley sighs at this, setting his glass down on the small table beside his seat and rubbing at his temple, eyes closed.

"What is he thinking?" the blonde Vampire wonders out loud. "We're trying to achieve something great at this school and he's jeopardising it all. His ideals are utter nonsense, just like all of those who follow the Bureau....."

"Heh" Riah scoffs, smirking meanly to himself, "But he doesn't truly follow the Bureau's ideals Alley. He doesn't actually want humans to become extinct, he wants some of them to be kept alive as live food."

"Barbaric" Alley comments, opening his eyes and wrinkling his nose. "Though, I can't say I'm too surprised in all honesty."

Both Vampires suddenly fall silent as one of the entrance doors is slowly pushed open, the two of them sitting up straighter in their chairs. Alley glances over at Riah, uncertain of what he's planning to do, though the brunette's attention is focused solely on the opening door.

"Remember Riah" Alley whispers, hoping his seemingly livid friend isn't about to do anything stupid, "You can't kill him."

".....How boring" Riah responds coldly, smirking as Cienna walks in through the entrance door.

Immediately spotting Riah and Alley, the red haired Vampire shakes his head, closing the door by leaning his muscular back against it. Narrowing his golden eyes at Riah, Cienna folds his arms over his chest and slowly strolls across the room, his shoes tapping loudly against the marble floor.

"Well, well" Cienna mocks, "If it isn't the welcome wagon. You ruined my plans for tonight you know."

"It would seem you were out breaking the rules again" Alley muses, taking a sip of his drink, a bored expression on his face. "What are we going to do with you Cienna?"

"Like you could do anything" the red head laughs cruelly, his sharp fangs visible. "I'd kill you before you have so much as a chance to- Ugh!"

Cienna is cut off by Riah, who leaps out of his chair and viciously grabs at the red head's collar, hoisting him into the air with ease. Despite Cienna's clear height and muscular advantage over Riah, the red headed Vampire finds himself dangling in the air, feet no longer toughing the ground.

"Why were you out hunting them?" Riah demands to know, his voice low and cold, eyes beginning to glow bright red.

Alley jumps out of his chair as well, frozen in place as his eyes dart from a quietly furious Riah and the now grinning Cienna. While Alley didn't agree with the red head's blatant disregard for the rules of not leaving school grounds and hunting people, the blonde also didn't want Riah to lose his temper. It rarely happened, but when Riah lost his temper, there was a good chance someone was going to get hurt.

"Why?" Cienna repeats, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. "Because human girls make the easiest targets."