​​​​​​​Ayame's POV

I sighed as I did some last minute checks as I stood waiting for the car that would take me to the next town where my mission would take place. Instead of my usual Day Class uniform, I donned my casual clothes.

Considering this was a day mission, I had to be able to blend in with the crowds, so I had chosen to wear a black ensemble of trousers, dress shirt, knee-high leather boots, scarf and a midnight blue trench coat. I also had a belt of knives around my waist and a gun strapped to my thigh, hidden underneath my jacket.

"Ayame!" Turning I blinked in surprise seeing Zero running towards me. Checking my watch I saw that it was only five in the morning. "Zero what are you doing here?" I asked, knowing how much the younger loved his sleep. Zero frowned. "You never told me what the mission was."

I sighed but seeing the look in his eyes I nodded. "It's a solo mission." This caused Zero to tense, "Apparently children have been reported missing and turn up a few days later dead, with two puncture wounds on their necks. The Association heard and sent the mission yesterday morning." I informed.

Zero frowned. "It was an order, wasn't it?" He said through gritted teeth. I stared at him sadly but nodded. "It's out of my hands Zero." I murmured forlornly. "I'll be safe, I promise. I'll be back before curfew. Watch out for Yuuki for me, please." I asked. Zero clicked his tongue but nodded. "Take care of yourself... nee-san." I paused, staring up at Zero in surprise.

I've known Zero since we were children, having trained together while also attending the Venator Academia. I was a year older than him and his senior. He didn't like me at first, as with my presence, our sensei had to divide his attention between us, but we eventually became close friends to the point he started referring me as his "nee-san." My eyes softened as I patted Zero's cheek in reassurance. He hasn't called me that since... since Shizuka.

"I'll be fine Zero." I murmured, smiling at him. "I'll buy some groceries on the way home so I can make some ramen for dinner." I grinned seeing the way his eyes brightened. "Miso ramen?" He murmured. I chuckled and nodded. "Miso ramen it is." I smiled before sighing, seeing the car that the Association sent. "Try not to get in trouble today," I said, despite knowing better. "No promises." The silver-haired freshman smirked.

I entered the car with a laugh. Rolling down the window, I waved as the car began driving off. Zero followed my example and I watched at the Academy became smaller and smaller in my view. Sighing, I sat back, raising the window. I watched the scenery passed by as I got lost in my memories.

I stared up at the long-haired man in confusion. We stood in front of a simple house that was somewhat isolated but seemed very welcoming. At least to those who sought no harm. "Yagari-sensei, what are we doing here?" The older man stared down at his young student and sighed. "One of my colleagues asked if I could tutor their kids. We'll be staying with them until it's time for you to head back to the Academy. If the kids are up to par, I'll send them back with you." I hummed in understanding.

Knocking on the door, we could hear some shuffling from within the house before the door opened, revealing a tall woman, dirty blonde hair messily placed into a ponytail. Her violet eyes stared at us cautiously before her form relaxed. "Tōga, you were supposed to be here last week." She frowned.

Sensei shrugged, cigarette hanging limply from his lips. "We had some trouble along the way." The woman's eyes narrowed as she sighed before her eyes trailed down to my small form. Her eyebrow rose in surprise and confusion.

"Who's this?"

Sensei glanced at me before sighing. "Shouldn't you let us in first? It's the middle of winter, you damn woman." The lady rolled her eyes before moving aside for the two of us to enter. Following after sensei, I mumbled a small greeting before slipping off my wet boots.

"This is Kimura Ayame. My current student." Sensei introduced as I bowed politely.

The woman's eyebrow rose once again, staring at Sensei incredulously. "Didn't you tell the Association you wouldn't take any students? Too troublesome and time-consuming, if I recall."

I blinked, staring up and the tutor. Glancing at me he huffed, pulling my hood over my face. I squeaked, pushing him away, frowning the slightest bit as I fixed my hair. The woman watched our interaction curiously as she waited for an answer.

"The association didn't assign her to me. I picked her up."

The lady smirked, raising a brow. "You. You picked her up? Have you gone soft while you were away?"

Sensei scowled. "Do you want me to teach your kids or not?"

The woman's smirk faded as she nodded behind her. "They're out back. Go and meet them. Leave Ayame-chan here. I want to speak to her."

Sensei grunted, moving forward before a hand stopped him. Glancing back at me as I clutched his coat he rolled his eyes. Crouching down to my height, he patted my head. "She won't hurt you brat." I frowned staring into his eyes before nodding, slowly releasing his coat from my grasps.

I watched as he left, my eyes moving to the blonde woman. She gently smiled as she knelt to be eye level with me.

"Hi, Ayame-chan. I'm Kiryū Saoirse, the mother of the twins who'll hopefully be your sensei's students. Please take care of them for me."

I stared at the woman in front of me before a flash of silver caught my attention.

Sensei returned with two boys following behind him. I tilted my head having never seen twins before. Silver hair and lavender eyes; they were both beautiful. I noticed how one seemed to stand in front of the other in a protective stance.

"Introduce yourselves brats. She's your senior now."

The one in front grunted, glaring at Sensei. His twin clutched onto his sleeve, staring curiously at me from over his shoulder, a light blush coating his cheeks.

"Zero, and this is my twin Ichiru."

Staring into lavender eyes, I let a small smile cross my lips as I nodded to their mother. She blinked in surprise, eyes alit in understanding as she smiled thankfully.

"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Kimura Ayame."

* * * * *

I grunted, dodging the claws that swiped at me. Unsheathing a knife, I blocked the vampire, before swiping across their chest. They growled at me, eyes red with bloodlust as they threw themselves at me again. Flipping out of the way, I took out my gun and shot as they had their back turned to me. They froze before slowly turning into dust. Rolling my shoulders, I winced as I recalled the wounds on my back.

"That's going to leave a mark." I murmured, careful not to jolt my injury, slipping my weapons back in place. Luckily I was wearing black, or the blood would have been noticeable.

Moving further down the alley, I carefully pushed the dumpster to the side. Crouching down, I smiled gently at the frightened pair of children.

"Hey, it's okay now. You can come out." I whispered. The children whimpered pushing further into their little burrow. "I know it's scary, but the bad man is gone now. Don't you want to go back to your parents?"

Sniffling, they nodded. "Do you want me to carry you?" I wondered.

The children stared at me, slowly nodding. They crawled out of their hiding place, lifting their arms for me.

Smiling gently, I grabbed the jacket I had left with them, placing it around the girl and wrapping the boy in my scarf. Lifting the children in my arms, I made sure to avoid my wound, before carrying them out the alley and towards the closest hospital.

Moving towards the desk, the receptionist smiled at me, eyes filled with worry as she noted my disarrayed appearance and the frightened children that clutched desperately on my shirt.

"How can I help you?"

I nodded towards the children.

"Can you have someone check them over and call the police? They're one of the victims of the recent kidnapping murders."

The woman gasped and nodded. She waved over a nearby nurse before reaching for the hospital phone. The children whimpered as the nurse moved to take them from me.

I sighed, tightening my grasp on them before placing them on the ground. The kids were quick to wound themselves around my legs.

"Is it okay if you check them while I'm with them? I don't think they'll be willing to leave with anyone anytime soon."

The nurse nodded, staring the children sadly. I turned to the receptionist as she stared at me, a hand over the mic. "Once the police come, tell them I'll be with the children. I'll answer any questions once they are here."

With the receptionist's confirmation, I took the children's hands, following the nurse into a private room.

* * * * *

Leaning against the wall, I guarded the children as they slept as peacefully as they could after the trauma they experienced. The two were most likely siblings, with their similar appearances. The brother had his sister wrapped in his arms as the little girl buried herself into the comfort of her brother. Staring at them, a vision of two others flashed before my eyes.

Hearing a knock, I tensed, my hand automatically reaching for the hidden knives under my coat. As a uniformed man entered, I slowly relaxed.

"Are you the one who found the children?" The policeman questioned as he glanced over the children.

Taking off a silver dog tag, I rose it up, flashing the emblem of the Hunter's Association. Understanding crossed the man's face before he frowned.

"I see. I assume the recent kidnapping murders will no longer be an issue then?"

I nodded in confirmation.

"Thank you for your services, Miss..."

"Kimura Ayame."

The man nodded. "Thank you Kimura-san. We'll have a cover-up ready, and the file sent to the Association."

Humming, I kept my eyes trained on the children. "Have the parents been called?"

"We had a missing report on the two at the station. Their parents have been informed and shall be on their way."

Nodding, I stepped towards the kids, carding my fingers through the boy's auburn hair. I watched as my touch roused the boy from his sleep. I noted how he tensed before his eyes flickered open. When his blue eyes met my own, he relaxed.

"Your parents will be coming soon. I have to go."

The boy's eyes flashed with fear, as he scrambled to sit up. I pushed him down gently, eyes staring pointedly at his sister. Calming down, as to not awake his sibling, he stared at me with begging eyes. "Don't go! What if the bad man has more people like him around?" He pleaded.

I shook my head, caressing the boy's cheek in comfort. "I have already done patrols in the area. There are no more men like him." Seeing that the boy was going to continue, I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the boy's forehead. "Be brave little one. You are strong. No one will hurt you now." I reassured.

Sad blue eyes gazed up at me as if searching for any form of deception. The boy sniffed, reaching up to hug me. Patting his head, I pulled away, giving his sister the same affection before moving to leave.

"Ethan!"

I glanced over my shoulder, staring at the boy in confusion.

"My name is Ethan. My sister is Everly. Thank you for saving us!"

Closing my eyes, I smiled.

"Take care of your sister, Ethan."

And I was gone. 

- - - - - - - - - - 

A/N Updating early cause I'm bored and I already have like the next four chapters done. Not sure if I'll mention the kids again, but hey if they are and you remember, props to you. Maybe I'll add in a chapter dedicated to you in the future. I encourage comments. Constructive criticism is a great help in improving my writing. See you next week or maybe tomorrow.

Updated: 19/03/05