She sighed as she walked down the alley, running her slender fingers along the old brick building. She hummed quietly to herself, the smell of blood strong in the air. She heard footsteps in the distance and peeked out through her waist length black locks, her emerald eyes being shielded from the moonlight. Something dangerous was approaching and she could tell by the way the hairs stood up on her arms. She always had good instincts when it came to danger; always trust your gut. Not many things worried her, but this thing, this person, was a danger to anyone; ghoul or human. She stopped dead in her tracks under a dim light hanging on the side of the building and watched as a figure emerged from the darkness. He wore a blank, white mask, and had slicked back pale blonde hair. The young woman tilted her head ever so slightly to eye him up and down. He wore a black coat that buttoned up around his neck, black pants, and black combat boots. She heard footsteps behind her and grinned, "Can I help you, gentlemen?" The hairs standing up on her arms and the nape of her neck, by no means, symbolized fear; she was everything but afraid. She was far worse, alone, and not just at that moment but in life. She also liked to consider herself dangerous. Why? There is nothing more dangerous than a person who feels like they have nothing left to live for besides making the most of each day; living for themselves.
The figure that stood in front of her had a quiet, monotonous voice with a hint of amusement, "You're new here. I saw you in the club the other night." The young woman dropped her hand off the side of the brick wall and brushed her long flowing hair behind her ears; the man before her watched as the dark hair turned crimson red. Her irises turned the same shade of crimson, lined in dark charcoal and accented by light grey eye shadow. Her pale skin had a glow to it under the moonlight and her black lipstick made her doll like face have a mischievous appearance. The man moved so quickly that it happened within a blink of an eye, now standing two feet away from the woman. "I'm afraid that I've run away from home…No Face, and I don't know what you're talking about." The man's unwavering tone replied, "I run the fourth ward…this is my territory." She giggled, "Maybe I was there…can't a girl just dance?"
The young woman turned her head just enough to view the three male ghouls in her peripheral vision whilst she kept an eye on the no faced man before her, "I planned to pass through but got hungry along the way; care to join me?" The male noticed that while her irises turned crimson, it wasn't a normal kakugan; her eye color didn't turn black. This intrigued him; the eyes were his favorite part. He looked down at her body, eyeing her up for good measure. He was fascinated by the woman, by her smell. She wore a black, asymmetrical skirt that was longer in the back, white and black striped thigh highs, and black wedged combat boots; her 4-inch boots brought her slender frame about three inches shorter than he was. He brought his eyes up to the black cinched belt that guarded her midsection, adorned by three petite buckles. She wore a skin tight, low cut black shirt, emphasizing her large breasts."What a specimen…I wonder how good you taste."
The man lunged forward and she disappeared; she matched him in speed, that's for sure. He looked up to see her perched on the edge of the flat roof, looking down at him and his three subordinates. She flashed a venomous smile, "If killing me was that easy, do you think I would be alone? But I'll have to admit this is turning out to be a fun night." The man stood next to her within seconds, "Fascinating." Her tone was so quiet it was almost a whisper, "Are you here to be my knight in shining armor or do you plan to kill me?" She giggled slightly, her voice had a hint of insanity. His tone finally changed as a low chuckle escaped his hidden lips, "I'm dying to find out what you're made of." The girl stepped back about three feet from the man and released two kagune; she had a ukaku and koukaku that made it look like she had flamed butterfly wings. The male ghoul took a step towards her, his voice in low awe, "Like a phoenix…"
From that day that was how she would be known; the phoenix. She didn't even have to fight the man she came to know at Uta. He had deemed her his equal and vowed to give her a home. His subordinates looked at the small girl in fear and the sight of it almost aroused him. The sight of her doll like features and venomous smile made them uneasy. Uta lived to terrorize and she loved to please him.
Phoenix had followed Uta back to a studio, HySy ArtMask Studio, and together they called it home. In the first year of their cohabitation they learned many things about each other. Uta had learned that this Phoenix could change her hair and iris color like a chameleon and mostly did so with the change of her mood. Lately her hair had become a pastel pink and her beautiful eyes were a light shade of violet, making her look more pale than usual. Phoenix, never betraying her given name, had learned that the pale, tattooed and pierced male, was close to being a glutton. His kakugan was always activated and he was always snacking on some appendage or part. His tone was always low and unwavering, never showing emotion, even though he greatly enjoyed harassing or tormenting the ghouls he came in contact with. They frequented a bar, Helter Skelter, earning her a best friend named Itori; whom she still did not give the details of her origin besides the fact that this small, statuesque beauty was only 15. But it was home, he was home to her and her to him, regardless the innocent nature of their relationship. Her strength impressed him and his aura reeked of danger; he excited her just as much as she excited him.
Phoenix laughed quietly, her tone and nature extremely similar to Uta's, never raising or faltering, besides the grin that she often produced in the comfort of her small circle. She was also always giggling quietly about something. Never a dull moment. Sometimes it frustrated Itori to know she could never get a rise out of the young girl. Itori was 3 years her superior and owned Helter Skelter. She was a beautiful woman with flawless skin, short rose colored hair, and enticing eyes. She loved seducing her victims with the revealing attire she wore; it had become a sport between the women to go hunting together and play the victim themselves to lure unsuspecting men into their well manicured grasp. Itori also lived for the underground knowledge she received in her bar, always willing to share for a price of her choosing.
Itori stood behind the bar and held up a dark red bottle, "Have I got a treat for you!" Phoenix tilted her head to the side, the question apparent in her eyes. The bubbly woman laughed, "It's a special bottle of blood." The girls were alone in the bar and not worried about nosey patrons. Itori uncorked the bottle and poured them both a glass before putting the cork back in and setting it on the shelf behind her. It was after nine in the evening and most humans were taking shelter in their homes, afraid of the rising ghoul predation in the 14th Ward. This was play time for the ghouls.
Phoenix picked the glass up, the intoxicating scent causing her eyes to go crimson. Itori grinned, "It's divine!" Both girls took a large sip of the liquid, savoring the flavor as well as the aroma. The bell on the door chimed as it opened and shut, Yomo approaching the girls and taking a seat, "Where is Uta?" Phoenix set her glass down, eyeing the white haired man, "Working… or getting into trouble; I'm not his keeper." Itori and Yomo snickered, her cackle much louder than the man's. Itori said in a sing songy voice, "Says the woman who tamed the savage beast." Phoenix rolled her eyes and downed the rest of her glass. She watched as Itori refilled her glass and poured a new one for Yomo."We don't have that kind of relationship." Itori laughed again, "But you wouldn't mind it!" Phoenix smirked, taking a sip of her beverage.
Phoenix, uncharacteristically loud by this point, giggled, "Itori, my love, I want to go play. It's well past 1am, close the bar." Yomo nodded in agreement, "I'm heading home." Itori nodded and walked around the bar and over to the door, flipping the sign in the window before locking the door itself. Phoenix stood up and put her black, knee length trench coat on over her black lace, Lolita style dress. She adjusted her striped thigh highs and looked down at her black platform boots before looking up at Itori, "Ready?" Itori nodded; she was wearing a tight black dress that formed a V at her breasts and black heals. She slipped on her black coat with grey fur around the hood, "Out the back, my pets."
They headed out the back door and Yomo headed off down the alley as Itori locked the door, slipping the keys into her pocket. The intoxicated women walked in the opposite direction of Yomo, hip to hip, arms around each other's wastes, "Goodnight, Renji-chan." They giggled and made their way through the maze of alley ways. Both girls tilted their head upwards, taking in the aroma; human…human male. Phoenix disappeared to a roof top and Itori continued down the alley, turning left and coming face to face with a muscular man. Itori giggled, stumbling towards him, "Sir, can you help me? I think…I think I'm lost." The young man caught her as she stumbled, her head resting against his right shoulder, mouth at the side of his neck. He looked around, "What are you doing out this late, ma'am? It is dangerous in these parts, especially this late at night." He heard a thump behind him and turned with Itori in his arms to face the source of the noise. His tense body relaxed when he saw a young woman. "Sister, I've been looking everywhere for you!" The young man looked down at Itori and a gasp emitted from his lips; she had taken a bite out of the tender spot between his neck and shoulder. The young man fell back onto the pavement, grasping at his wound, eyes filled with horror. The women crouched down, heads tilted in towards one another as they stared at the frightened man unable to speak. Both let out a maniacal laugh before lunging forward to devour their prey.
Phoenix was humming as she walked, swaying in almost a dancing sort of step. She walked up the cold, metal stairs behind HySy, unlocking the door before stepping inside and locking back up. She turned around and came toe to toe with Uta, whom she knew wasn't please with her coming home at four in the morning. "Yomo said you left Helter Skelter with Itori hours ago." Uta hated when she went hunting without him, usually because he wasn't there to enjoy in the spoils, but mostly because he feared something would happen to her. The young girl was strong enough to be his equal but that didn't matter to him. His face never betrayed his usual blank expression, but she knew he was angry as he grabbed her left wrist, pinning it above her head. Her voice became a low pur, "Uta…your kakugan is so beautiful." His nose was a mere inch or two away from her own and she could never remember a time when he had been this close, not in the two years they had been living together. It wasn't like when they laid down together with him laying on her as he sketched and she read. This was a different closeness. She giggled and shoved him back, barely causing him to budge, with her free hand, "Are you jealous?" The wine blood and the high of the kill from mere hours ago made her head fuzzy and she felt elated.
Uta pinned Phoenix's right hand above her head, leaning over her slender frame, "You are drunk." Phoenix shifted, wrapping both her legs around his waist, pulling his body closely, his chest against her breasts. "You smell sensational." Uta's blank expression turned into a slight frown as heat emanated from her body. He stood up straight and her hands dropped to rest upon his shoulders, her legs tightening slightly, as not to be dropped. He stared into her crimson eyes and for the first time, he had noticed they mirrored his own. He had never seen her kakugan fully activated and it excited him to see her so, dangerous, looking.
Phoenix dropped her legs and put her left hand in Uta's pale locks, gripping it gently. Her right hand moved down to his chest and she leaned forward, "I wonder how you taste," placing her black painted lips against his pale pink ones. In that moment the taste of blood in her mouth was intoxicating and arousing. He began to radiate the same heat that she was. He turned and walked over to the large, king sized bed, laying her down so his body hovered over hers. She released the grip of her legs around his waist, placing her feet flat on the bed, knees bent on each side of his waist. She grasped his hair with more pressure and their kisses began to deepen. She pulled away, gasping for breath as Uta stared at her with desire. She sat up on one elbow and used her free hand to pull Uta's shirt over his head. Her legs returned around his waist and she shifted her body, mounting his and looking down into his eyes. Her gaze seeped with lust. His hands roamed up her back and pulled her down into him for a kiss. He pulled away and tore her black dress over her head, leaving her in a black lace bra, matching cheeky underwear, and her striped thigh highs and boots. She groaned as her hips pressed against his, "Uta…" She slipped three fingers into the waist band of his black pants and his demeanor changed as he grabbed her hands.
Phoenix had an expression of pure hurt and confusion strewn across her face as she repeated his name, "Uta?" He released her hands and grabbed her hips, lifting her with ease and placing her on the bed to his right. He quickly stood up, a few feet away from the bed, and rubbed the back of his neck. Phoenix turned to look at him, mortified, "Why did you stop?" Uta sighed, "This isn't right; you're drunk." Phoenix rose to her feet, "That doesn't change the way I feel, Uta. We've been together for two years and I have been by your side; every beck and call. Am I not as beautiful as the other girls?!" Uta shook his head, he had never heard pain in her voice,"You have lived here for two years and this line has never been crossed and you have never been drunk!" She jumped at his elevated voice. She had never heard him yell at her; ever. "Uta, we wears masks every day of our lives, you don't think I have learned to mask the way I feel about you?! I have been waiting and hoping that you would show some interest each day that passed!" She reached for his face and he grabbed her wrist roughly, "You're a child! You don't know what you want yet because you're too young to have those kinds of feelings…" His voice had softened. Sure, he had thoughts and feelings of lust and desire at 17, but she was different than him. She felt a pain in her chest and her eyes stung as tears welled and threatened to fall, "You have trusted me by your side, fighting and watching your back for two years, and I have stood by you with unwavering loyalty… I am not a child, Uta, and I know how to feel EVERYTHING. Being three years my superior doesn't make you more knowledgeable about life." Phoenix had never been so exposed; sure he had seen her naked and vise versa, but this was a different kind of naked. She ripped herself away from his gaze and stormed past him, slamming the bathroom door. He sighed and sat down on the bed, placing his head in his hands. What the hell just happened?
Uta laid his body back, head on the pillows, hands still over his face as he sighed. He could hear the water of the shower running, and faintly, he could hear light sobs. It was in this moment that he hated having ghoul senses, especially the sensitive hearing. He only knew as much as she let him; only the last two years of their life together. She never talked about who she was or what her past was like. He didn't pressure it; that wasn't important to him. He had grown to love the young woman and kept her by his side at all times, so that she was safe, leaving an emotional distance between them because he feared his own heart. He wouldn't be the one to take advantage of her. It just wasn't the right moment, as much as it pained him to pull away from her and see her so heartbroken by the thought of rejection.
Uta hadn't realized that he had fallen asleep, contemplating his actions and if he truly handled the situation with Phoenix the right way. He opened his eyes and sat up; everything was silent, too silent. He looked around and noticed the room was empty. Phoenix hadn't come to bed. He looked at the clock on the nightstand and it was well after noon. He needed to open the shop. He tossed his shirt back over his head and walked downstairs towards the shop door. He noticed a piece of sketch paper taped to the wooden frame: Goodbye. He felt his chest become heavy as if the air had been sucked out of the room. She was just upset…she would come home right? He called Itori, who sighed at the other end of the line, "She doesn't want to talk to you, Uta. How could you be so stupid? Whatever you did, fix it." He pulled the phone away from his ear, surprised the bubbly woman hung up on him.
Uta walked into Helter Skelter to see Yomo and Itori chatting away. He sat down, blank expression as always, "She isn't here?" Itori frowned, truly feeling bad for him, "She left after I hung up. She said she was going to find her brother…I thought all her family had been gone for some time. Apparently he is all she has left. After you rejected her, she didn't want to face you." Uta slammed his hands down causing them all to jump. She has never seen his emotions betray his cool demeanor. Phoenix was being a child about this.