Vampire Hunter D
Tale of a false utopia
A/N: I would quickly like to point out a few things before beginning this fic. Firstly, it is a crossover pairing the popular doujin series "Touhou Project" with the Vampire Hunter D universe. Appropriately, I have altered Gensokyo in some sense. While it is still on Earth and sealed off by the great Hakurei Barrier, it has been shifted 10,000 years into the far future, with D's ravaged world, the Frontier, being the outside as opposed to modern day which the canon suggests. Additionally, the Nobility have left the place disturbed for a variety of reasons, largely due to the Hakurei Barrier. But with the advent of humanity and the dying remnants of the Nobility, Gensokyo now serves as the Nobility's last hope for sanctuary away from Vampire Hunters. Lastly, all characters portrayed herein will be played as closely to canon as possible. The D that appears will be from the novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi, not his manga or anime counterparts. It is my hope that this fic stands as a testament to Kikuchi's wonderful series, as well as the stunning universe ZUN has created through his games.
Content warnings: As this fic closely follows the style of the VHD novels themselves, all I can warn for in advance is graphic violence and strong language at times. Sexual content may be hinted upon, but never elaborated in full detail. It is my hope to emulate Hideyuki Kikuchi's writing, while staying original for the plot.
I.
Even beyond the boundaries, within a place regarded as the stuff of dreams, there was no place that could be truly called safe. Yet, the scenery of this forest belied it all. The ground and sparse treetops were still blanketed with a fresh snow, with an eerie silence enveloping its entirety. There wasn't even a cry of a distant, starving beast. Indeed, this was the perfect place for one to succumb to their exhaustion and dream endlessly. Such deception however wasn't fallen to by those who took up dangerous lines of work. One individual in particular could never hope to dream. This curious wanderer, clad in a worn, black coat with a traveler's hat and blue pendant at his breast was the epitome of dashed hopes. Looking no more than 18 years old, he moved quietly. Raven black hair spilled down to his shoulders. The moon above illuminated his unearthly beautiful features. Even with the shadows defining his cheeks and thick, masculine eyebrows, there was little else they could do to emphasize his appearance. An unremarkable long sword was sheathed upon his back, which ran down marginally past where it ended. His frame was powerful, his shoulders broad. The traveler was beauty exemplified, the most seasoned of hunters. This night was like no other. He would not be fooled by the silence, as; there were always eyes on him.
As always, his suspicions proved correct.
A barrage of colored lights shot out from both sides. The hunter wasted little time in getting to it. Despite their fast speed and sparse amounts of space between them, there was no impact to their target. He'd simply vanished – or so it seemed. Not to be underdone, the barrage continued, intensified, completely unforgiving as the slightest mistake in movement would make one into mincemeat. While no hunter was in sight, he had actually been dodging them, each and every one and blocking them where able with streaks of silver light. Such swift strokes from his sword weren't uncommon – he was a master of the blade. Becoming increasingly frustrated at this point, his assailants presented themselves. On the surface, one could question if these were the assailants at all. They resembled young girls, levitating partially in the air with small, clear wings sprouting at their backs. However, as with all else he came to learn, looks were deceiving. These were fairies, or even pixies. All throughout the Frontier, fairies and pixies were engineered to instill terror into humanity by the Nobility. Enforcers. Though their numbers lessened throughout the centuries, they still posed a threat to any lone traveler with malicious intentions. The leader of the group licked her lips, expression conveying both frustration and awe of his abilities. "A pity that you need to die," she stated in a high tone of voice. "I was truly enjoying myself. I've never encountered one of your caliber." Making a motion with her head, she gestured for the others to move in unison toward him and make a final strike. However, the chance was never seen. The lead fairy was cut down from the head in half. The others, for once in their many centuries frightened at an opponent's ability, flew back into the woods.
"…" A sigh emerged from his lips. Though just a sigh, his tone was low and haunting. Resuming the way he'd gone before, a set of unseen hands applauded in the distance. "My my, such skill. Nothing less of the great Vampire Hunter D." A new female voice remarked. "Clearly, the things I've heard about you were true." Stepping from the shadows, a blonde haired, beautiful woman emerged. She was clothed in a strange set of white clothes, with a parasol held casually in her left hand. "Were you the orchestrator of that assault?" D asked, in a voice that couldn't be called cold as much as it was seemingly emotionless. "But of course. A test of abilities is always necessary. Fairies are plentiful, their stupidity serves as much to my advantage as does their strength. I merely wished to see if the claims and myths were true, from unheard of skill down to those…handsome looks." She concluded with a smirk. The woman herself wasn't typically wooed or flustered, but the hunter before her was simply the most breathtaking of men she'd encountered anywhere outside the boundary. "Then, I have nothing else to prove to you." D replied, not fazed by the woman's clearly suggestive behavior. "Ahh..~ So stoic... How it warms my old heart." "What do you need from me?" He asked, still with his ever soft voice, but with a commanding overtone. "I needed to take you on for some work, hunter. Those Nobility outside of our land's border... They've been causing problems ever since making an opening. Not that I mind their presence particularly, as some residents are already such beings. However, there was one in particular I need you to deal with. He's been preying on one of our land's resident Shrine Maidens, Reimu Hakurei. A guardian and protector of the peace. While she's so capable on her own, I fear she can only do so much against one of the more powerful Nobles. I feel you are right for the job. I will pay you handsomely, of course... along with anything else you'd like~" It was seldom that she ever yearned for the touch of a male, much less desired one, but this hunter was truly exceptional in every regard. "50 million dalas. I will also need as much information as you can provide on this Noble." Smirking once more, and pleased at the outcome, she nodded. "Very well. I am known as Yukari Yakumo, the gap youkai. I will provide you with all you need for the task." There was no further response from the taciturn hunter, aside from a nod.
"So it begins." Yukari thought to herself, smirking out of view. Waving a hand, a black hole opened, a series of red eyes peering from within. "Step through here, D. There is much to be done." She said, her mischievous intent bleeding through her words. Naturally, only silence answered her.