Diaclaimer: I don't own Night World, L.J Smith does
Chapter One
I was finally ready. It's time to put my seven years of training to the test. I was going out hunting tonight and to say I wasn't nervous would be an understatement.
"Honour is what makes a warrior, fight honourably and you'll be respected." My martial arts teacher, samurai warrior, Sensei was saying. We were sitting in his back garden, we had just finished practicing zanshin and Sensei was ending the lesson in his favourite way, stating the importance of honour and respect.
"If your opponent has respect for you, they will more than likely fight fairly."
I nodded. He has been saying this since I met him when I was five, two months after the day at the carnival. There was just one problem, how were you meant to fight honourably against vampires – they were leeches, parasites. But I will find a way to fight with honour, I will not disappoint Sensei. He may not believe in the Night World but he has done so much for me that I couldn't bear letting him down. He taught me how to take care of myself, to fight.
"Rashel? Are you listening?" Sensei's voice cut through my thoughts.
"Sorry Sensei."
"It's understandable; you've been here for hours. You should start heading home, your fosters will be wondering where you are." I sighed, foster homes was the story of my life. I've been to many, each one as bad as the next. This one was definitely the worst; my foster mother probably hasn't noticed that I've been gone since six – thirty this morning.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow Sensei." I got up and left through the garden gate.
I walked the twenty minute route through the rough part of Boston to my foster home. I walked round the side of the entrance to the back door. Inside was my foster mom Marie and just as I suspected she didn't even acknowledge that I had entered the room. I went to my room and started to get ready for tonight. I had started to track a vampire two weeks ago; he was staying in one of the abandoned warehouses down town. I should have killed him a week ago but I kept bailing, but I was going to do it tonight. I changed into my ninja clothes and got out a black scarf. Sensei would never agree to me hiding my identity, but the number one rule in vampire hunting, never let a vampire see what you look like. I took out a bamboo backscratcher, to show the vampires that I'll never be that frightened little kitten that I was seven years ago. I grabbed my bokken, a gift from Sensei and with one look in the mirror; I climbed through the window out into the cool and dangerous night.
A/N Okay this is my first story so I'm really nervous about what you all think. Review!