A/N (author's note): Warning- This story is featuring a dark Luffy. Like he is actually insane… not the goofy one piece insane that he already is. I might just leave this story as a standalone one shot, but if I continue I'll go into detail about that. So expect him to be a bit out of character or how I think he would be if Ace died and he didn't have his friends at the time. That's how he'll be.

Also this story is AU, which stands for Alternate Universe. This takes place in medieval London right before the witch hunting craze. Cloaks are totally in, mmk? Also… Vampires. Not the stupid pussy Stephanie Meyer Vampires that sparkle but legit Vampires…

Another warning, this is rated M for strong violence, mild language and possibly (if I continue this) adult themes in the future. (Yay for possible kinky vampire sex).

You're still here? Well enjoy…

Dead End

Chapter One - Recruited

"We need her," he said studying the young girl before him.

A wicked grin plastered on his face as he bent down to her level. He pushed back the straw hat and brushed back the dark black bangs that were in his way as he crouched down in one fluid motion. His black eyes seemed to darken as he surveyed her, if that was at all possible, and the girl for the first time felt the very real threat of the situation she was in. She was sprawled across the floor, with long orange hair splattered across her face, and something looking suspiciously like blood covering her neck. Her body shook as she tried to brace herself into a sitting position. At seeing the girl's obvious fright the grin turned into a frown.

"You're scared," he stated it as a fact but somehow it seemed like a question.

"Well I am dying," the girl said smoothly. Her voice dripped with sarcasm but the young man didn't seem to notice.

Despite the wound on her neck she seemed remarkably calm. One of her hands traveled to the wound to hold it closed as she wearily watched the man before her. He seemed like a ball of energy, he could barely sit still as he swayed in his crouching position and studied her with a restless look in his eye. He looked bored, and yet somehow interested. The oxymoron didn't escape her as her thoughts became less lucid and hazier with every passing second. She decided that he looked bored as his fingers caught a strand of her hair. He twirled it in his fingers for a second, looking fascinated with the way the orange color caught the light and seemed to dance for him.

"Do you want to die?" he asked.

There was a note of genuine curiosity in his tone, but at the same time he sounded completely aloof. A realization slapped her hard as his free hand brushed her neck. He brought his hand closer to his lips and licked the blood off. His eyes trained on hers during the entire exchange. She fought the shiver that raced down her spine. No it wasn't boredom she was hearing, it was bloodlust, and the way his pupils disappeared when he would glance at her neck had her stomach rolling uncomfortably. Now it made sense, why he had just sat in the shadows and toyed with her now. He wasn't human. He wasn't here to help her.

"No," she whispered.

"Then why don't you join me?" he said. His face lit up in a grin, showing his sharp incisors. She cringed.

"I hate you," she growled. "I'd rather—"

"If you say die you only have to wait a few more minutes," barked a second voice with a mocking laugh.

In the shadows rested the 'demon hunter' with green hair and black eyes as well. He was leaning back against the stack of boxes as he watched the exchange from afar. His teeth were too white and they flashed in the darkness as he gave her a haunting smile. He wore a loose tunic, and black pants with a large belt supporting three swords, and he had a bandana tied loosely around his arm. His boots were propped up lazily in front of him as he leaned back further against the boxes.

She knew that man. At least she had known of him before this, he was a famous vampire hunter and often his name was talked about in towns as he slowly made his way across the country. She had seen a picture of him once at the bar she worked at, the green hair gave him away, but the deep scar over his eye was new. As was the fact that he was now one of them. Zoro, the name sounded bitter. If that man could cave then anyone could. The filling of dread overcame her and the need for revenge became a thousand times stronger. If that man could accept this fate and use it then why couldn't she? She was going to die either way.

"I would reconsider that. You could get revenge," Zoro continued, his smile disappearing as the first man shot him a look.

She was silent a moment.

"My soul—"

"Will be damned for all eternity," chirped the black haired man with a bit of perkiness that she hadn't really noticed before. In fact he seemed too happy; his smile seemed to grow with every passing second. His nostrils flared as he studied her.

"It'd be a shame to waste all that blood for nothing," he murmured mostly to himself. Since he was still crouched in front of her she caught it and gave him a disbelieving look. "And we do need you," he commented for her benefit but his voice didn't retain any seriousness. In fact he looked like he had already decided that she was going to join him one way or the other.

"Why?"

"We don't have much time. Nami… you need to decide now. Are you going to join me?" he said waving off her question.

She choked back a frustrated sob, the feeling of her head growing lighter by the second had her seriously worried, and she didn't want anything to do with these demons… these vampires. They were evil, she hated them. Years ago their kind had rampaged her town and killed her mother… yet… and yet right now she was staring at death in the face. She wanted to fight back. She didn't want to take this fate lying down. For the second time that day she felt genuine concern for herself, the first having been when her attacker dealt her this fatal wound. She knew she couldn't come back from this. She couldn't survive… she studied her ruined dress and felt a pit of nausea develop in her stomach. She would have thrown up, but she swallowed it down, she was sure she would die if she gave into that urge.

"If you let me kill him first," she hissed resolving the swirling thoughts in her head. She didn't have time to think, she had to act, but first she had to ensure that she didn't get a short end of the stick. She had to make it a deal worthwhile for her.

"That Arlong fellow? I can take care of that," he said easily with a shrug.

The straw hat fell off his head and around his shoulders. His cloak was pushed back as his hand was still busy playing with her hair, revealing a handsome white long sleeved button down shirt and a pair of dark black pants and dress shoes. Despite the simple wardrobe and the fact that she hated his guts, he had a handsome face. He even looked a little boyish and young. You never know how old these freaks are, he could be a 100 years old, she thought frowning to herself.

"I'm not going to trust you—"

"You're going to be a new born. You'll have no control. You'll rampage half the town and I'm sure you have loved ones you'll want to spare," Zoro commented. He sounded bored as he studied his nails without even flicking a glance her way. "Luffy just give up. We'll find someone else in the next town."

"I want her," the black haired man supposedly named Luffy growled. For the first time the smile completely disappeared, not a hint was left as he glared at the green haired demon.

"Restrain me then," she demanded. She fought a cough, and tasted blood building in the back of her throat. She cut off the protest she could see coming. She didn't have time to barter. "Help me kill him and I'll join you," she gasped out interrupting his possible response. She was coming to terms with this, she had to. She had to get revenge. She wasn't one to die like this and just let it go. When someone wronged her, she got even.

She was alarmed at the effort it took to speak. Luffy grinned as he faced her and turned away from Zoro. He stood straightening quickly and grabbed her hand in the process forcing her to her feet. His movements were almost rough, but the shock was enough to cause her free hand to move away from her wounded neck and brace against his chest. She barely was aware of the red stain she was leaving on his white shirt. His eyes bore into hers with a hunger that had barely been masked earlier. His scent was over powering, making her already dizzy head spin as she struggled to stay as composed as possible. Under normal circumstances she would have expected him to kiss her, however she knew what he was about to do. She braced herself, her hands clutching his chest in support as she swayed slightly on her feet.

"Promise," she demanded her voice a faint whisper as his head started to move to her neck. She felt rather than saw him grin.

"I promise," he murmured, his eyes locking on hers again.

It seemed almost like a tender moment. There was an understanding there that she hadn't expected to see, and genuine concern for her. Underneath the blackness of his eyes she could have sworn she saw a hint of brown. She wrote it off as the blood loss getting to her.

She closed her eyes and nodded telling him without words to do it, and knowing without his words that this was going to be one hell of a process. Her odds of survival weren't even that high and yet he hadn't spoken one word about the gift that these creatures promised. They often spun tales of how wonderful and powerful they would be, and the curses that came with their gift. Luffy hadn't spoken a word about it. Maybe he thought she already knew? He would be right of course, but—

Her thoughts were interrupted as his teeth grazed her neck.

"This is going to hurt," he whispered as he lowered her so that she was sitting again.

"You're supposed to warn people before you bite them," she hissed through clenched teeth.

Those were the last coherent words she had gotten out before the pain consumed her. For the next three days she lied there, unable to move, screams escaped her as every nerve slowly shut down with white hot pain. It wasn't until the third day, her voice raw from her screams that she managed to quiet down. The pain felt… cold now, and her body was hard.

As the moon rose so did she.

She ignored the claw marks and the massacre of dried blood that stained the walls. She grabbed a pair of clothes that had been laid out neatly for her. A pair of black pants and a deep red shirt awaited her along with a black tie, she snorted to herself. She shouldn't really be surprised that they had given her men's clothing, but at the same time she didn't care at the moment. Anything was better than her current state of dress. She tossed aside her ruined dress and slipped on the new clothes, marveling at the silkiness and softness of the fabric against her skin. She strapped on a cloak as well, not wanting to stick out in the town's busy night life. The air around her seemed stale and smelled rancid like death. The scent brought back the memories of the pain she had just freed herself from. She didn't need a reminder of what had just happened to her. She felt… better. At least now she wasn't dying, since she was already dead.

"Let's go kill that bastard," she said as she left the desolate room that she had been occupying for the past three days.

She instinctually knew that they were there, Luffy and Zoro that is. The stories hadn't lied about the heightened senses. The world seemed new, as all the sights and sounds assaulted her. The moon was so bright it seemed like the sun, and their surroundings weren't dark at all, but as bright as day. The stories also hadn't lied about the thirst. She found it impossible to ignore, her new nose practically had her running into town to kill the closest person. Her own words held her in her place, her determination. That was the only thing she felt. Everything else was dull; she was in a better sense numb to the world. Her insanity and desperate urge for revenge consumed her. Nothing else mattered, nothing else would matter.

She wanted to kill Arlong, just him. Her throat burned and scratched and she knew the only thing that would quench her thirst was blood.

At her words, Luffy and Zoro appeared at her side, both grinning wickedly. Their eyes were now a bright red instead of a dark black.

"We're starving," they growled together mimicking each other's smiles that could only be described as sinister.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

She felt almost giddy as she wiped the last of the blood off her lips. She found a smile and a cackle escaping her. His blood had been sweet, and she had rather enjoyed torturing him and listening to him scream this time. But now the fact that he was dead was starting to set in. She was hit with a strong feeling. She felt lost, and very alone.

Her two new friends studied her with disinterest, like they had just set loose a rabid dog and weren't quite sure how to put it down now.

"A deal's a deal," Luffy said. Blood still dripped from his jaw, giving him a wild almost feral look. His eyes were black again, and gone was the smile that he had sported just a few days before. "You're mine," he said firmly.

She laughed in his face. "I said you had to let me kill him. You slashed his throat before I could have my fun," she pouted. His teeth gritted as he gnashed them at her in disproval. Zoro took the moment to exit the room silently. Probably to survey the surroundings and make sure that no authorities were on their way or he was uncomfortable, she couldn't quite tell with him.

"You were going too far with it," he snapped.

"He was a –"

"I know what he was," he growled cutting her off. Suddenly he was right in front of her; his hand snagged her wrist and held her firmly in place. His eyes bore into hers, his gaze hard and unreadable. She felt like he was searching her soul, and despite herself she shrunk back from his stern look. Only she couldn't, his hand kept her locked in place.

"You aren't a monster," he said firmly. "You can't lose your humanity."

"I just murdered someone," she snorted.

"You murdered a murderer. That hardly counts."

His lips twitched slightly as if he was calling her stupid. Instinct took over then, she wasn't sure where it came from but she hit him roughly upside the head.

"It counts when I'm the one that drank him dry," she seethed.

His grip on her wrist didn't loosen and his mad smile seemed to grow. He pulled her closer. She was hit with the sense of familiarity. This was the last scene they had together when she had been human. She nervously swallowed as his scent hit her. It was strong and musty. It didn't smell like death though, but sweeter. Like ocean spray and possibly sweat. She pushed the thought aside as his hot breath tickled her nose. They were nearly eye to eye, but he had an inch at least on her. His gaze lost all seriousness.

"Nami, you aren't a monster," he laughed, "you aren't the type to just go out and kill needlessly. That being said… you need them to stay alive and I need you."

He hadn't lost that goofy grin. It didn't bother her like she thought it would, in fact she almost seemed to connect to him better. The words he was speaking… she couldn't quite figure out what it was that he needed and it had her rather intrigued. She was damned for all of eternity now, but she couldn't find it in herself to blame him. She had even wanted it, she wanted revenge. The anger she thought she would have wasn't there.

"Which means?" she asked quietly once she realized he wasn't going to let go of her.

"I have a mission that I couldn't complete when I was alive," he said after a moment and completely ignored her question. "Being dead now, I have realized I need more help to complete it."

Her blank look was lost on him as he let her wrist go. He gave her another bright smile. The blood having stained his teeth gave him more of an eerie look than what he had probably intended. He didn't take a step back and neither did she, leaving him still close to her. If she moved she would bump into him.

"You recruited me?"

"Yes and no," he told her while he finally wiped the blood from his chin. Instantly his face looked cleaner and more wholesome. Gone was the feral mad look in his eye. His smile turned softer.

"You just happened to be there when I needed you most," he told her with a shrug.

If he needed her so damn badly then why the hell was he being so vague? Was he stupid or something? She thought that all vampires were supposed to be cunning and charming. He had yet to clarify anything and it was starting to piss her off. Her anger started to bubble back.

"What exactly do you need me for?" she snapped.

In a flash his smile turned mad. It was just a bit too far wide on his face, and he showed his blood stained teeth again. His eyes even glazed over. He hand shot up and rested on her shoulder pulling her to his chest so that his hot breath grazed her ear.

"Revenge," he whispered.

He bit her again, just as softly as he had the time before. His teeth barely breaking the skin on her neck, only instead of intense pain she felt only pleasure. His lips sucked some of her blood, and swirled her thoughts with it. She leaned into him, panting hard as his hands traveled lower down her back to support her.

"You need to bite me," he whispered in her ear, pausing from his ministrations on her neck. She groaned and did as she was told.

The whole experience was hard to describe. She was pulled to him, draw in, and she couldn't escape. She didn't want to. She hated to admit this, but she was actually aroused by this carnal behavior. She found herself moaning as his lips brushed her ear and his tongue shot out to taste her skin. His blood was sickeningly sweet, and it tasted even better than Arlong's had. His hands were firm as he guided them over to the couch. She found it hard to do but she managed to pry herself from his neck, but to distract herself from her bloodlust she gave in to lust. The regular kind. Her hands found his collared shirt and pulled him close for a searing kiss. He seemed startled at first, his lips didn't respond right away. She was worried that she might have crossed some line, but just when she was about to pull away and start apologizing he kissed her back.

His hands caught her bum and forced her to straddle him. One hand shot up to playfully pull on her hair and expose her neck. He nipped her again, grazing his teeth against her flesh until she was practically screaming at him to bite her. Her hands shot under his shirt and started to unbutton it, she played with his surprisingly chiseled chest while he ravished her neck. She could feel the blood pouring out of her, leaving her too quickly, leaving her weak and light-headed. She could fix that. She growled, effectively stopping him and dipped her head back into the crook of his neck, taking back what he had taken. He started playing with her breasts, and pinched her sensitive bud through her shirt. Her gasp egged him on, as he pried her free from his neck and caught her lips in another feverish kiss.

He finally pulled her free after a few minutes of this frenzy they had on each other. Both panted and stared hard at each other, knowing that they had just shared something rather personal with one another even for vampires. He grinned and leaned forward. His lips caught hers quickly in a chaste kiss.

"I helped you get your revenge. Now you have to help me get mine," he said playfully as he pushed her gently off his lap. He righted himself like nothing even happened. His goofy smile back as he called out for Zoro.

"Zoro! Get the coffins!"

A/N: Thoughts, comments and suggestions are of course welcomed. Exploring my dark side so if anyone can think of anything I said or did wrong please point it out! :D.