Yang sat across from Ozpin, her helmet in her lap and her feet tapping impatiently. It was difficult to concentrate. Ozpin had been speaking to her for what felt like a long time, but she kept herself from looking at the clock. A fire burned in her muscles that made sitting still impossible. After a few moments Ozpin spoke louder, grabbing her attention again.

"Yang, are you listening to me?"

She jumped, remembering that she was supposed to be paying close attention. Her eyes flicked back to Ozpin, and she nodded. He sighed and leaned forward in his seat, placing his elbows on his desk.

"I'm sure I don't need to remind you that you're going to be around large numbers of normal humans. If you think that your vampiric instincts may be too much to bear, tell me now. The last thing that this city needs is another vampire running rampant through the streets."

Yang shook her head vigorously, not wanting him to think she was losing herself to the same madness that had claimed Ruby. The mere thought made her sick to her stomach. She wasn't going to do anything like that. No matter how much blood Ruby sucked from her, she wasn't going to become a monster.

"No! I'm good, I'm ready. It's just hard to keep myself focused. I'm not going to go around killing people, if that's what you mean. I'm not that crazy. It took Ruby like a week to get to that point, right?"

Ozpin shook his head. " Not exactly. It took her a while to drink for the first time, but after that she started feeding without a second thought. I don't know why exactly, but vampires' fangs have a venom in them that causes them to turn their victims. They normally suck out the venom as they drink which keeps it from getting into their body, which is why not everyone who is bitten turns. This venom is also highly addictive to vampires, and a single taste can cause them to only think about getting more. My guess is that it's some sort of survival strategy to help break them from their personal feelings about killing another human so they can properly feed themselves; but that's only a guess."

Yang felt her jaw drop slightly at his explanation. Was it really as simple as that? A simple matter of addiction had turned Ruby into a monster, and threatened to do the same to her? She had to take a few deep breaths, and suddenly felt much less accepting about the sharp white spikes in her mouth. She thought about reaching up and tearing them out of her mouth.

"I don't think that'll work, if you're thinking what I think you are. If anything, you'll just be exposing yourself to the venom directly without any blood to dilute it. I've never seen it myself, but my instructor explained that if a vampire "overdoses" on the venom the withdrawal from after the drug stops affecting them causes them to go insane, turning them into mindless killing machines that will attack anything that moves."

Yang gave a frustrated sigh before saying, "I just can't win, can I? It really seems like this whole thing is just pointless!"

Ozpin held his hands up, a slightly more distressed look coming across his face.

"Perhaps it may seem that way, but you cannot let yourself fall into a trap like that. I know my teachers didn't train you to give up when things seem dire. If they did, perhaps I should rethink a few of their employments."

"No, they didn't…" She growled slightly under her breath. "Alright, but we have to be fast then. do you know where this guy is?

"He drops off the radar disturbingly frequently, but I have noted a pattern in his hunting patterns. He seems to favor more upscale bars and pubs. I've tracked him to one five star restaurant in particular several times, but there's nothing that might suggest-"

"We're going."

The grim tone to her voice was absolute, and Ozpin was somewhat surprised by the flame in her eyes. He knew that he wouldn't be able to sway her. She'd realized how close she was to the edge, where she was in the grand scheme of things. He knew that she wouldn't let herself rest until she got results. No matter what it took.

Ozpin nodded in response, not speaking yet. She needed time to calm down. setting out with her in a state like this would be disastrous for everyone involved, and besides, the vampire wouldn't be there now anyways. He only appeared in the open after sundown, which would be a wise tenant for Yang to follow too. He felt that expecting her to do so would be a tad too optimistic, though.

Yang glared at Ozpin for several moments, and he got the general feeling she was holding something back. The two stared at one-another for several tense seconds, then Ozpin pushed himself up from his chair, turning to face the tinted window behind him.

"You know, Yang, I've been fighting vampires for much longer than you might think. I was around your age when I started, I think." He gave a small chuckle to himself. "Perhaps it's difficult to imagine me at such a young age, but I assure you, there was such a time. While situations like the one your sister is in may be uncommon, it's far from the first time it has happened. The addition of you being turned into a vampire complicates things, of course, but I still believe that the situation is manageable. All I need, is a little cooperation."

He could see Yang's reflection in the window as she glared, thought for a moment, then seemed to loosen up.

"Why do you hide all of this? The vampire stuff, I mean. If you had all the Huntsmen and Huntresses working with you, couldn't you make sure there are no vampires?"

A small smile drifted across Ozpin's lips as he remembered suggesting much the same thing, years ago. He'd studied history quite a bit since then, and knew why that was not a good idea.

"Tell me, does the term 'witch hunt' mean anything to you? I should think Bartholomew still teaches it, but it may be later in the year."

"No, not really. Is this about Ruby's books again?"

"In a way, perhaps. Ancient stories of wicked people twisting the world to their whim used to be believed, but not always with reason. Fear is a powerful thing, and it can drive even the most stout of individuals to hysteria. People make rash decisions, or seek to manipulate that fear, and soon enough a whole new issue can be born. Those who seek reasons to hate never come back empty handed."

Yang stared at the back of his head, but the anger and impatience in her face was gone. Now she was thinking about what he said. He was glad to see he could still be a teacher.

"You think people would make mistakes? Call someone out as a vampire and go after them, then everyone just turns against them like that? Without even having any proof?"

Ozpin's brow darkened.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. I've seen it. it doesn't end well."

Memories of a much more bitter kind started to return, and he quickly focused his eyes on the glass, counting the buttons on his coat in his head. The room was silent for a few moments before Yang spoke again.

"So… where is this place? in town, I hope?"

He sighed, and supposed that he should be glad for the distraction.

"Yes, it's not far. We should wait until evening, though. Showing up early will do us no favors, especially considering he may recognize you. Vampires have a strange ability to recognize their own. Long ago I managed to talk to one, and she explained that it's not some magical signal in their mind, but a collection of subtle signs that give them a suspicion. Probably simple things like not detecting a pulse or their scent or something. I'm not sure, she wasn't a vampire for very long and didn't know much about her abilities to begin with. I'm afraid she wasn't much for talking after our chat."

Yang nodded, trying to recall anything like that about Ruby. Nothing immediately sprang from her memory, but that was understandable. She had been rather heavily distracted at the time, so failing to notice a few minute details like that wasn't much of a big deal. She was sure she'd be able to pick up on this other guy. There was no way he was getting away with what he'd done to Ruby.

Waiting, however, proved to be her greatest challenge yet. She could feel a fire burning in her mind and soul, and couldn't hold her body still. Time seemed to pass slower than it was supposed to, and most of it was passed in silence. Ozpin did paperwork on his desk. Professor Goodwitch came in a few times, giving Yang suspicious glances out of the corners of her eyes and speaking in hushed tones with Ozpin, and for the most part Yang glared out the tinted windows, hoping the sun would hurry up and go away.

After a while, she looked over her shoulder and asked, "How is killing this vampire guy going to help Ruby?"

Ozpin looked up slightly confused, clearly not having payed attention when she started.

"You have said stopping this vampire will help Ruby, but you didn't say how."

"Oh yes, you ran off before I could explain. It's actually really simple." Stopping only for a brief second as he took a sip from his mug."You see, Vampires have families. There is the head of the family, who makes his children, and then those vampires can make their own children. So yes, if you're thinking it right now, you are technically this vampire's granddaughter. As I was saying, if you kill a vampire, their children will revert back to being human. I've always been able to take care of the problem before they could make grandchildren, so though I'm confident you will also return to life; I can't make any promises."

"Well, I guess that's a good sign. How does one become the "head of the family" if just killing the original reverts anything? Does that just mean there is one super old vampire that you could kill and just eradicate all of them?"

"No, sadly there is a way to break away from a family and make your own. If you drink the blood of the vampire who turned you, very specifically only your parent's blood, then you'll become independent of their fate. Most vampires live out in the wild parts of the world, only the strongest even try getting close to one of the kingdoms because they know me and the other members of 'The Order' are always on lookout. Sadly, in recent years our numbers have started to thin, and many of us are getting too old to keep fighting powerful vampires like the one who's come to Vale. There are very strict parameters for recruiting new members, and unfortunately we have been too successful in recent decades, so the major source of getting new recruits has been a dry well."

"I'm guessing this 'Order' is secret society and such, so is it to intrusive if I ask what that major source is?"

"In your case, no it's not. One of the major requirements to join is to have been exposed to a vampire. Whether it be having seen one feeding or performing some other act, or to be almost a victim. Though actually being a victim can get you in as well, we tend to be more cautious after the first incident centuries ago when a recruit turned traitor to try gaining favor with a vampire so they could return to being one as well."

"I see..." Her voice trailed off and she assumed the discussion was over, returning to looking out the window. Ozpin took notice of the orange sun and addressed Yang after taking a sip of his coffee on the desk.

"Restock your equipment and prepare to head out. It'll be night time, so dress more casually. Walking around with a helmet on all the time will bring more attention than we want. I'll prepare our Bullhead. We'll take off the moment the sun dips under the horizon. It may still be extremely painful, but after the sun disappears from sight it will stop being lethal."

Yang nodded and walked off to the elevator. After pushing the button for the ground floor she took a moment to glance back at Ozpin. He was looking at her, and appeared to be in deep thought. Before she could ask what he was thinking about, the doors closed on her.

When she'd made herself ready, she glanced around the empty dorm room again before casting her eyes towards the window. The sun was about halfway hidden by the horizon, and still falling. It wouldn't be long before she was able to go out again, and she was practically tearing her hair out waiting. She spent most of the time opening and closing the curtains, looking through the visor of her helmet so it didn't burn her.

When the time finally came, she rushed down and burst out the door to the dorm. She could immediately feel the pain Ozpin had told her about, skin tingling as it caught light reflected from the air.

It wasn't necessarily painful, but she could definitely feel a greater sensitivity in her flesh. She felt tender, more vulnerable, but it was manageable.

Ozpin was waiting outside, leaning on his cane and looking Yang up and down. She'd made sure she was good enough looking to pass for a normal person, doing what she could about her pale complexion, but she knew she still looked a little dead-ish.

Still, she was presentable enough to avoid suspicion. Ozpin looked her over for a few moments before turning and walking slowly where their Bullhead was waiting, allowing Yang to catch up.

She got the feeling he wanted her to talk, but she didn't know what to say.

They boarded the craft without any trouble, and after a short exchange with the pilot, Ozpin took a seat across from Yang. The Bullhead lifted off into the air, and the bulkhead doors slid shut.

Yang breathed a sigh of relief as she felt the pressure of the light be lifted away, then looked back up at Ozpin.

"What does this guy look like? How will we know for sure when we find him?"

Ozpin gave her a strange look for a moment before saying, "He could look like anyone. I believe your sister has shown you the immense pool of powers vampires can draw on, but she lacks experience, and a full understanding of what she has. Out friend out here has been a vampire longer than either of us could know, and he's taken full use of that time to practice. He will no doubt try to throw us off his track if he knows we are coming, and I suspect that he may already be aware of that."

an irritated feeling gnawed at the edge of Yang's mind. Ozpin was only trying to be honest, she knew, but did he have to be so damn pessimistic? She was going to find this vampire, and grind him into nothing but a fine red paste. She just needed to find out where he was, and she needed Ozpin for that.

The Bullhead ride lasted a few minutes, and she knew it was over when the hull jerked and the landing gear screeched. Ozpin pulled himself out of the seat and moved towards the doors, and Yang followed as they slid open again, and flinched as the light hit her again.

Ozpin looked over his shoulder to make sure she was coming, then stepped off into the cool air. As Yang followed, she was quickly greeted by the sight of the many rooftops of Vale. The Bullhead had touched down on the top of a tall building, and already, Ozpin was walking towards what looked like a fire escape.

She spoke as they walked, looking back at the small landing pad that they'd come down on. It was fairly small and unassuming, so Yang supposed that it would be a good place for what they were doing.

"Is this just some random roof, or do you actually own it?"

Ozpin smirked before replying, "The school owns the building. There are many through the city, it simply makes it a little easier for things to be moved around."

Yang nodded, thankful that she hadn't had to walk the distance. She came to the edge of the rooftop, and gazed down at the bustling streets below. It was a popular part of town, so there were plenty of people out and about, in spite of the growing lateness.

Ozpin started down the stairs, and she followed, keeping an eye on the crowd below the whole time. If she was careful, maybe she could pick up on the vampire early, and drop down from above. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She followed Ozpin closely, using her hearing to guide her as she reached out with her sense.

It was still early in the evening so there were still lots of people walking about. Though all the noise she couldn't make out any scents, or hear anything out of the ordinary. After they arrived at the bottom Ozpin instructed her to look about the bars and other hangouts people go to during the night. He was going to check out the higher-class areas. .

"Don't expect to find him in one night. There are lots of people out, and he can easily blend in as anyone he wants."

Yang had nodded, but only as a formality. She had every intention of finding him tonight. They parted ways and Yang immediately headed to the first place she would guess the vampire might be. It would also be the best place to get some underground information.

She walked to the next district in the city and quickly found her way to a familiar nightclub. The doors slid aside and the bouncer inside almost immediately reached for a baton on his waist when he noticed her. He didn't make any sudden moves, so Yang ignored her as she walked past. The dance floor was already starting fill with a small crowd, though for the most part it still looked like the many goons that staffed the place were still setting up for the night. A few saw her and gave her ugly looks but she paid them no mind. She was more than capable of taking them on. She approached the bar in the back and saw who she was looking for sitting there. He was in the process of cracking open a bottle of whisky with two glasses already set out in front of him with ice.

"Alright Blondie, what do you want this time?" His voice sounded slightly agitated while he poured the first glass for himself.

"I'm looking for a man."

"That seems to be the theme with you." He retorted, taking a swig from his glass before he tried filling the second.

"You know what goes on in the shady parts of town. Have there been any disappearances connected to a single person?"

"Yeah there's been a spree killer on the loose for a few days now, I think the news is calling him Jack the R-"

"No, not just some killer. A guy who kills in a very specific way." She interjected, "He sucks the blood out of the bodies."

Junior finished pouring the glass before looking up at her, a sarcastic sneer on his face.

"That's called a 'modus operandi' kid. Besides, what is the guy? One of those 'vampires' from a fairy tale? Sounds like you should go to the library or something, not bother me about this…"

He reached for the glass as he spoke, but just as the glass left the smooth tabletop, Yang's hand pushed it back down.

"I've got a lot on my mind right now, so maybe you shouldn't piss me off tonight. keep it up, and last time I was here will seem like a holiday visit."

Junior leaned back, folding his arms and letting the drink go. "Alright, fine. Yeah, people have gone missing like that, but I don't know anything about the guy who's snatching them up. I don't even know if it's one person. People disappear, and smart people don't ask why. Maybe you should follow suit."

Yang knew he was trying to get under her skin, but she didn't let it get to her. Why, then, the glass she was still pressing to the table shattered, was a mystery to her. Shards of glass stabbed into her hand, and while it didn't hurt, she jerked slightly in surprise. Junior did the same, and his eyes flicked down.

She took the opportunity to hide her confusion, deciding she could still salvage the situation. She started picking glass out of her hand slowly, staring Junior down as she did so. Only whisky dripped from the wounds.

"Smart people don't ask question. But smarter people know when to give answers."

Her words didn't seem to have the effect on him that she hoped, but her mindless action of removing the glass from her hand still managed to convince the giant of a man.

"Alright look. I don't ask who the punk is. I don't ask why or how; but I do know where. He tends to dump the bodies in the river down by the residential district just under the overpass. There's no pattern to when he does it. All I know about that is that my boys get the blame."

She picked the last of the shards from her flesh and let them fall to the bar, taking enjoyment from the fading color of his face. She flashed him a smile as she turned to leave, but hesitated when he raised an eyebrow.

"You a fan of his or something? It'd explain those teeth, and why you seem to like beating my guys to hell."

Yang turned quickly, closing her mouth and walking faster towards the exit. She could feel the eyes of Junior's goons on her, but she still didn't acknowledge them. She had to get to Ozpin, and tell him what she'd learned.

Or, alternatively, she could go and check out the river herself.

She shook her head. Stupid thinking like that was why she'd almost been killed by Ruby, she couldn't let it happen again. She needed his experience, and admittedly more level headed thinking.

She reached for her scroll, looking forward to having someone on her side for a change.

Author's note:

Thanks to Leivve for the help, and as always, leave a review telling what you thought!