Curse of the Night
By LittoGrrlStephie
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Disclaimer: This is the first and last time I shall say this for this fic, I DO NOT OWN RUROUNI KENSHIN OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS, however, the plot is all mine.
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Chapter ONE: The Prince of the Night
The azure sky gave way to the fire burning light as the sun vanished for the moon and night to rise and take its course above the dying earth. Another day had come and gone, completing yet another one of the never-ending circles of Life. But with Life, comes Death, keeping the quote "Life exists to die, yet is afraid of death" alive.
From the billions of creatures on the Earth, only one being has been able to defy these laws, for he is not afraid of death–he is immortal. He's the child of the shadows; the Prince of the Night. This creature is what some would call the spawn of the Devil himself.
The demon's eyes are as golden as the sun, seemingly sucking the very light of the sun within the twin orbs. His red mane resembles the color of blood, matching perfectly with the cross-shaped scar on his left cheek, which reveals to all whom dare to look his skill in battle.
The name of the creature–the very name that has been known to send fear into the hearts of even the strongest of warriors--is Battousai. His name has stopped demons in their tracks, lycans scurrying back to their dens, and other vampires back into the shadows, out of his way.
On this particular night, the hated being walked alone, unfazed as a slight breeze tried to tousle his fire-like hair out of its ponytail. It seemed as if every part of his small frame had unbelievable power.
The wind blew furiously as if to challenge him, but only managed to lift his black cape from around his form. As if admitting defeat, the wind stopped and allowed his cape to drop around his form and the swords at his side: a katana and wakizashi.
The Dark Prince attire was completely black, his leather boots echoing on the vacant road made of concrete.
On this autumn night, only the night sky greeted him, not even the shadows themselves dared to cross his path.
He walked on in silence, his face emotionless as he continued his journey to his Black Castle, back to his Realm of Darkness that was filled with his own kindred; vampires.
The immortal didn't care if he was seen or heard, everyone and everything knew better than to cross the Lord of the Night.
Battousai walked into the public park; the street lamps blowing themselves out to allow him to remain engulfed by the darkness. It seemed as if the world itself was trying to avoid his dark being.
The park contained only one set of vacant swings and a long dark dirt road that led through the shadowed woods, a road that called out for visitors.
Answering the unheard call with his own blackened aura, Battousai the immortal vampire, walked into the darkness willingly. Even without the moon and stars to guide him, he saw everything as clear as day through his amber gaze that acted like his very own nightlight.
Spreading his ki to keep unwanted company away, the Prince of the Night moved onward through the path of the shadows. His very steps seemed to hold great power in themselves, each one precise, confident, and controlled.
The trees led him toward the center of the woods, toward the very soul of the darkness that was calling out to him.
Not a single sound was heard as the vampire walked on. The night was silent, as if too afraid to speak in his presence. Even the wind seemed to have stopped chattering so that he may cross the woods in his own dark peace.
The Dark Lord followed the path that would lead him home, the path that would bring him back to Kyoto, back to his Black Castle.
Suddenly the Dark Prince froze. Time itself seemed to stop for him as it waited for the 1000-year-old vampire to resume his trek home.
Narrowing his amber eyes into golden slits, he allowed his ki to roam the whole forest for the sign of the other ki that lingered there.
Turning to his left, he felt his ki clash into another creature's barrier. Just by feeling it, he knew that the creature was in a weak condition. His senses flared when his nose picked up the scent of newly drawn blood, the smell causing his throat to become dry.
Grinning, his white fangs glistened in the dark as he raced toward the blood that he knew lay within the forest. He needed to taste the blood, to feel the burning liquid slide down his throat and refresh him.
Slowly coming to a stop, he strained his ears and smirked at the sound of dripping of water, the noise echoing in his ears as he looked around for the wounded creature.
Looking down on the dewed grass that was showered earlier today, he grinned when he saw the trinkets of blood on the ground. However, his triumph dispersed at the feel of steel on his neck.
Amber slits traveled up the thin metal toward the bleeding arm that wielded the weapon. They sparkled at the sight of a 17-year-old girl gripping her right arm to stop the bleeding, her breaths coming in rigid gasps.
She was dressed in a sorcerer's black robes; the purple linings laced from her shoulders around her collar as the rest fell to the floor in a curtain of black ink. Her jet-black locks were let down to her waist as the wind picked up and danced with her midnight colored hair.
Battousai met her icy sapphire orbs with his burning golden ones. He narrowed his eyes further as he felt her ki, it wasn't as weak as he first thought it was. Her ki was flaring and held something that others before her didn't have. It held something that even he himself was unsure of, and he didn't like to be kept guessing.
"What do you want? What are you doing in the Forbidden Woods?" demanded the girl, her voice echoing through the quiet lands, chiming like a musical glass harp.
"These trees called me here," said Battousai calmly despite the position he was in.
"I can kill you now vampire," hissed the sorceress angrily.
The Dark Lord raised a delicate eyebrow, he hadn't expected her to know his background.
"Get on your knees," ordered the girl.
Battousai's eyes flared at her and was about to relinquish his true power when his captor began to sway from the lack of blood. The sword slipped to the ground as the teenager's body went limp and fell forward as the last of her energy left her.
On reflex, Battousai easily caught her in his arms. It was amazing how well her thin form fit right into his masculine one.
Quickly ignoring his last though, the Prince of the Night held her head with his right hand as he rolled up her right sleeve that was injured.
Placing his lips on her wounded area, he began to unhurriedly lick her wound.
Battousai's mind seemed to shut down as he tasted her blood. Her liquid of life flowed down his throat like fine wine, her jasmine and nature combined scent filled his senses, threatening to drive him mad.
He quickly got his mind straight and jumped back, leaving the girl's body to fall on the cold ground with a thud.
Looking at her wound, he noticed that it had vanished from his saliva. He subconsciously licked his lips and knew that because he had tasted a sample of her delicious blood, he would have to taste it again and again. His instincts told him to keep her for his own and allow no one else to take possession of the red liquid that flowed through her veins.
Swiftly, he walked back over to her and picked her up bridal-style.
Before he left, a star came out from the gray clouds and reflected upon a small dagger that was to the left of where the maiden had collapsed. He looked at the star design on it before kicking it up with one foot and catching it with his left hand.
Pocketing the small weapon, Battousai held the woman close to him as he calmly strolled deeper into the forest, the stars once again becoming concealed by the darkening sky.