First of all, I must clearly state something. This specific fanfiction is a gift to my friend Michelle for her birthday! Don't give me any comments about how uncanon or incorrect it could be. It's a gift. It's meant to make people happy! On that note...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHELLE!!

I hope you enjoy this!!!

The Hunter and the Huntress

She's running faster.

Even though she was more than a block away his acute senses could still pick up on the sound of the girl's gentle footfalls against the concrete.

This was all a game.

James liked games.

The small distance between them was one he could easily cover in less than a mere few seconds. To simple human, however, it would take much longer. Like this girl...

He could still hear her breathing heavily as she rushed away. She was still too close.

A bit more.

Perhaps just one more block.

There!

Like the wind, the male vampire leaped off the rooftop, landing gracefully on the lamp-lit streets that'd been beneath him.

It was dark out, possibly nearing two in the morning. The cement was shining with a layer of moisture from the newly fallen rain. The Maryland streets were completely void of human motion, save this one girl ahead. It was perfect for hunting, after all.

The heels of his shoes barely touched the ground as he sped after her. He could hear the desperation in her panting as he drew closer. She was frightened. James couldn't blame her, after all. She probably thought she was about to be accosted by some insane or drunken sci-fi fan. After all, what would anyone think if you appeared out of thin air and told them they looked like a delicious snack?

Normally he would not allow his prey to gain such a head start. Tonight, though, he was feeling particularly energetic.

That's right, I'm right behind you, lovely.

Of course she would not hear his thoughts, but they served him amusement. In one leaping bound, he sprang up onto the unsuspecting roof of a little book shop, 'Mystery Loves Company Incorporated.' The name gave James half a second of amusement.

How suiting, in a sense.

He was ahead of her now. She had no way of knowing this. Sometimes he almost thought it unfair to have such an advantage of his victims. Humans...they were so helpless...so weak. His mind focused as he watched the startled girl turning onto Fleet Street. A grin spread over his lips, maliciously. She was approaching him now.Grabbing the edge of the roof, he flung himself downward, landing in a cat-like stance right in front of the girl. She froze.

"Hello, pretty." He smirked.

The girl tensed, then opened her mouth for a scream.

"Now now, that won't do."
Before she could protest, he slid behind her and covered her mouth with his palm. She was flailing in his arms now. This wasn't safe at all. Anyone, any insomniac, could glance out their windows and see this whole display. He was being quite the naughty predator right now.

So pretty...it's a shame she'll have to die, he thought as he pulled her back behind the little bookstore.

Then, unexpectedly, she twisted her body in a way that wrenched herself from his grip. He cursed himself and moved to chase her once more...but she did not run.

She stared at him.

He stared back, confused.

What are you thinking, poppit?

As if she had heard him, she tilted her head a little. Her eyes were sparkling with fear, but she was masking it well. Or perhaps it was the shade of green they were shining, reflecting a bit of the deep blue of her shirt.

He shouldn't be thinking about her in such a physically adoring manner. He told himself this as he drew a smirk to his lips.
"What's a beautiful girl like you doing roaming these dark streets at such a late hour?"

She didn't answer.

He stepped closer. The grin on his face grew.
"Don't you know there could be psychos out and about?"

"Like you?"

Her answer surprised him. It was the first time she'd spoken a word during the whole chase, and it had been delivered boldly.

He laughed, but it was quiet. It's be quite pointless to awaken any innocent locals.
"Yes, just like me."

The girl's eyes darted to his feet as he edged closer. Was she going to run again? He knew he had to be ready for that.

Instead, she did the last thing he would have predicted. She brought herself closer, as well, mimicking his move. She reached upward and brushed her hair over her shoulder in a casual movement. "Though, how do you know I'm not a psycho as well?"

What fun!

Rarely did his snacks ever play back with him. James smiled in delight. "You could be, yes. I suppose that could make us doubly dangerous to one another."

She definitely smelled of fear. Surprisingly, it didn't seem to falter her in the slightest. The male vampire almost tensed as she brought a hand to his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" He asked in disapproval.

Was it disapproval? She might have been human, but she was still beautiful. She was past womanhood and elegantly feminine in all the right manners. He wouldn't deny she was pleasing to the eyes...and now pleasing to his mind.

"Am I not allowed to do this? You were chasing me, were you not?"

Why did she have to make sense? And why did she smell so good? It wasn't the delicious and appetizing scent, but a floral and cheerful one. Vanilla, perhaps? He knew what she was doing. This was her defense. It had to be. He was hunting her, so she was trying to derail his mind.

He chuckled to cover up his bewilderment.
"Indeed..."

It really would be a shame to rid of her...

"It's my birthday, you know." She smiled, alluringly.

Birthdays? He's almost forgotten that humans still celebrated those days.
"Is that so? May I ask your name, o' lovely poppit?"

She laughed at her newly-dubbed nickname. It was a beautiful bell-like sound.
"Michelle. And you?"

Maybe...just this once. He could always search her down again, later. If she intrigued him, that is. More so than she already was. Why was he suddenly concerned? Why did James The Hunter suddenly have a conscience? Perhaps some humans weren't so helpless after all.

James, you're a fool. Even still--

His hand rose to her chin, a finger crooked beneath it as he raised it that tiny bit so to look into her eyes. Yes, he could see clearly now that they were a beautiful shade of green- forest, even.Without thinking much of his actions, he leaned down, placing a soft and almost gentle kiss upon her delicate lips. Her's felt so warm against his. It would be so easy to lose himself in this. He stopped himself...

"Happy Birthday, Michelle," he murmured to her with a smile.

While she stood there in a mild shock, he pulled away in a lightening movement and slipped off around the corner. He may not be able to restrain himself if he remained in her presence any longer. Well, not so close... The rooftops were his trail once more as he walked above her, following her path down the sidewalk. He couldn't just leave her there; her words had been truly spoken of psychotics roaming about at this late hour.

Somewhere he felt a stir of warmth inside him as he looked down at her. It was a pity, really...she would never know how he had walked her home safely that night.