Author's note: More from my vampire-verse! I recommend you to read Anchors first, it might make these ficlets less confusing. They're word prompts, and I'm not sure how many I'll do. As many as I have interest for, I guess.
This one is chronologically before Anchors.
Hunter
He's crouching in the shadows, skin itching with the need to move, to reveal himself and draw the scent of the vampire's fear deep in his lungs as he gives chase. He doesn't. His mentor is a steadying presence beside him, keeping his mind focused and his instincts controlled. Vincent expects him to do this right and he won't let him down. Can't let him down, this demon that has protected and trained him.
Clawed fingers flick out commands and a brief glance at Vincent's face is enough to reaffirm his confidence. He can do this. He owes him this.
Muscles tense and send him hurtling toward his prey almost before he's aware he's moving. The faint whistle of displaced air alerts the vampire and he's turning, turning with the speed of his kind – too fast, too fast… He hits the taller male in the chest and not the back, but the vampire is too surprised to fight before his head slams against the asphalt with a crack, stunning him. There's panic in the dark eyes, panic as the mind realizes the danger but the body can't obey soon enough.
The artificial light of the streetlamps glint in a hawthorn dagger's silver inlays before it's buried in the vampire's heart. His body jerks, eyes widening before dimming in true death.
There's surprisingly little blood. Disappointing, almost. Raising one hand from the hilt, he watches the red wetness, fascinated. Bringing it closer, he licks it experimentally. Spits it back out, disgusted by the taste. The kill is fresh, but the corpse is not.
He stands up, placing that same hand on the vampire's forehead while the other remains on the dagger's hilt. A whispered incantation and the wood and silver blade is pulled out as the corpse begins to burn. The flames burn fierce and without heat, unnatural green as Jenova's eyes. It makes him wonder if she would be proud of his progress.
Vincent joins him next to the ashes that were once a blood-traitor, and Jenova no longer matters. His only thought is of his mentor's expression. A small smile graces the pale lips, warms the red eyes.
"Well done… Hunter."
And Cloud grins up at him, proud and pleased and grateful that he has achieved the title.