Daniel cut him off and flipped him the bird, leaving the city entirely. Nines and the Anarchy gang just watched him leave, flabbergasted and shocked by what just happened.
*3 years later*
Daniel returned to LA in search of his friend Yukie. He had to admit he had grown fond of the vampire hunter and wished to see her again. That is, if she forgave him for leaving her for three years straight. Taking the train back, Daniel covered his face and hurried off to his stop. Not paying attention to where he was going, he bumped into a young woman that was carrying a bag of groceries. The young woman yelped as she hit the floor cracking her eggs and spilling the bags contents that she was carrying.
''Miss, I am so sorry. Here. I'll pay for that…wait…" Daniel could smell her. He could smell the blood that ran through her veins, her shampoo and something metal….and a light perfume. It was her. "Yukie!" Daniel cried happily, picking the small Japanese woman up carefully to not break her bones with his supernatural strength.
Yukie giggled. "It's nice to see you again too, Daniel," she replied back.
He set her back down, and she adjusted her clothing and coat, but frowned at the now ruined groceries on the pavement. It started to snow, and Yukie shivered. "Again, sorry about ruining your dinner. I can pay for it. I really mean it," Daniel said, digging in the back of his back pants pocket to find his wallet.
Yukie waved him off. "Don't bother. I didn't pay for them. The old man a few blocks down at the grocery store gave them to me for free for helping him walk his dog when he was sick with a stomach bug," Yukie replied back.
Daniel was relieved, but he still felt bad for the groceries, though. He was struck with an idea. "Hey, I know you are probably heading home, but before you go, do you want to go get a bite to eat? My treat," he offered.
Yukie smiled. "Sure. I'd love that, but you can't eat…." Daniel burst out laughing, making Yukie raise an amused eyebrow. The vampire huntress crossed her arms. "Nani ga son'nani omoshiroidesu ka (meaning what's so funny?) What's so funny?" She asked.
Daniel wiped a bloody tear from his eyes. "Nothing. I know I can't eat, but I sure do miss the taste. Besides, I love the smell of food, especially freshly baked bread," he replied.
Yukie nodded. "Okay, but what if someone sees you not eating and offers you some food?" She asked.
"I'll just eat it and pretend I'm eating, but in actuality, I'm just going to throw it up when I get home," Daniel confessed.
''That makes sense," Yukie replied back. Taking his arm in hers, she smiled at him.
Daniel smiled back, but he couldn't get over how beautiful she had grown in the past 3 years. Her beautiful skin was clear as a sunny day, and her cheeks were a hint of rosy pink from the cold. Her hair had grown down to her shoulders, and she wore it in a ponytail today. "Nanika ga mondaidesu ka? Is there something wrong?" Yukie asked.
Green eyes met gold and Daniel swore he almost felt his heart beat again. "Nothing. I just got lost in thought..." Daniel began.
Before Daniel could finish speaking, a halo of Brunette hair tickled his neck. The young huntress had lovingly placed her head on his shoulders. "You know I missed you a lot, right? It really hurt when you just got up and left without saying goodbye for three years straight. I thought I'd never see you again," she admitted.
Daniel felt his heart break hearing that. Pulling her close in a hug, he kissed the top of her forehead, surprising both himself and her. "I'm sorry...I don't know what possessed me to do that…" He yelped.
Yukie rested her head on his chest. "It's fine, really. I don't know if you feel the same, but I really like you, Daniel, and I mean I like-like you," she confessed.
If Daniel was still alive, his cold dead heart would have jumped for joy. "Yukie, I'm touched… Yes, the feeling is mutual. I like you too," he replied back.
The mortal woman smiled, but then yelped when a strong wind came by and swept her pink hat from her head, taking it with it. "Just great. That was a friend's hat. Stephanie is going to kill me," she groaned. Daniel swept her up bridal style, causing her to yelp and giggle. "Daniel, what are you doing?" She asked, amused.
"Hey, the wind might have taken your hat, but I'm taking you out of the cold before you get sick. I'd feel horrible if you got frostbite and I didn't do anything to help," Daniel replied back.
No one was nearby, so Daniel used his vampiric speed to head towards the restaurant. Before Yukie could register what just happened, they were already at the small restaurant. It was a cozy little place that served Italian themed foods, pastries, and a decent cup of coffee.
"Here we are: Luigi's Mansion," Daniel announced, setting her down.
"Wow, you got us here fast. I didn't know your kind could move that fast. I heard about it in vampire lore, but I thought it was a myth," Yukie replied, astonished. "Also, it's Luigi's Cottage."
Daniel shrugged, and he stretched his neck and back. "Well, better you ride me then a bus," he replied back. Yukie's eyes widened, and Daniel realized what he just said. "Oh, my God . That came out wrong. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry!" He sputtered.
This only made the Japanese woman laugh hysterically, causing her to fall over. It took a couple of minutes for her to calm down and get herself together. "You know, you're really cute when you're flustered, but please. Shikashi kudasai. Work on rephrasing things. If I were a strange woman, I'd mace you in the face, especially if I don't know you. That came off a tad creepy," she replied back.
Daniel chuckled nervously. Taking his hand, the couple walked into the restaurant. A very friendly waitress smiled at them when they walked in. "Hello, Yukie. The usual for today… Oh, you brought a friend. Is he your boyfriend?" She asked. Yukie blushed.
"Diana, please. You're embarrassing me," Yukie groaned, and that made the older woman giggle.
"Alright. I'm sorry, dear. You two enjoy your meals. I have a booth ready for you guys already. Business finally just eased up now. Earlier, it was so hectic, it seemed like everyone and their mother was here," Diana said as she led them to a small cozy red booth in the corner.
Thanking her, the two set down. A plus size waitress frantically ran by, nearly tripping on the nice red carpet on the floor. Out of breath from rushing from table to table to satisfy and food rude and hungry customers. "Hello, sir and madam. What can I get for you today?" The waitress asked. "Oops. I'm sorry. My name is Jessica. I'll be your server today. Please forgive me. This is my first day on the job…" Jessica said apologetically.
"It's fine really, miss. We understand," Daniel replied back. The waitress was so busy fumbling around for the menus that when she finally took them out, her eyes met his. Daniel used his vampiric charm on her, and the woman blushed. "Hey, my boss would kill me, but I could get you both a discount…" She offered.
Daniel smiled. He tilted his head, giving her a seductive but mysterious look, his gold eyes shining faintly. "We would love that, dear. Please do," he purred. The waitress looked both ways before taking out a pen and using the machine nearby to cut the price in half.
Yukie raised an eyebrow, but Daniel just smirked at her. He was using seduction on her, and it was working like a charm. The waitress was wrapped around his little finger. After settling everything, the waitress took their orders. Yukie ordered a small salad and a pizza, while Daniel ordered a creamy mushroom soup. He had to fake drinking, so he just ordered a water, while Yukie had ordered a cherry cola. The waitress promised to be back with their orders soon, and she quickly scurried off.
"You're pretty smooth with the ladies," Yukie commented.
"Nothing really. Well, only with my powers, I am." Daniel added, picking at his nails.
"So, how have you been lately?" Yukie asked.
"Nothing much. Just traveling around, doing some sight-seeing…" Daniel answered back.
The waitress came back, and placed their drinks down. "Here you go, sir and madam. Your food will be out shortly." At that, the waitress ran off again.
The two sat and chatted awhile before the food came. Several minutes later, the waitress placed their food down and asked if they would like anything else.
When she saw they were satisfied, she went off to serve other customers. Daniel frowned. Smelling the butter and seasonings and cooked vegetables brought memories of being a child, and coming home from school hungry and exhausted when he was a child. Being a vampire gave eternal life, but also took away the ability to enjoy human food. He had tried to eat human food once. He remembered wasting his money on a hot dog. It smelled delicious, of course, but when he bit into it and tried to chew it, it felt like he was eating sand. It was disgusting, and not sweet and savory like blood was. There was nothing he could do about it, though. It was all part of the curse. They ate in silence while he forced himself to swallow the soup. After they finished eating, Daniel paid for everything and left out with Yukie.
It was snowing hard outside, and they had no choice but to take the cab back. Yukie insisted that Daniel stay the night with her, and he tried to refuse, but in the end, Yukie won.
*30 minutes later *
Yukie led Daniel to her small but cozy apartment. She laughed to herself. Here she was, a vampire hunter, allowing the creatures she hunted into her home. He could easily overpower her, snap her neck, and drink her blood like an ice-cold tea on a hot summer's day. She no longer saw Daniel as a threat, though. She had come to love him, and even in his current state, she had fallen for this creature of the night.
Unlocking the apartment door, Yukie spun around. "Hōmusuītohōmu. Home sweet home," She sighed contently, kicking off her shoes.
Daniel looked around. "Nice place you got, here. It's nice and cozy," he complimented.
"Thank you," Yukie replied, taking her coat off and getting up to hang it.
Daniel couldn't help but notice her curves through her sweater dress. Yukie definitely wasn't a teenage girl anymore. "Hey. I'm going to go take a shower. Will you be okay out here by yourself?" She asked. "OR are you just here to watch me take a shower?" She joked. Daniel nearly stuttered. Yukie giggled. "Relax, I'm just joking with you. You can bathe, right?" She asked. He nodded yes. "I didn't know that. I thought water hurts vampires. I read that in vampire lore…." But before she could finish Daniel cut her off.
"Not everything in vampire lore is true, Yukie," Daniel replied, chuckling. Humans and their silly vampire entertainment. If only they knew crosses and water didn't hurt vampires at all. In fact, Daniel was Catholic before his embrace, and enjoyed a nice relaxing bubble bath from time to time.
"Video games are right here, and you can sit and watch TV, or whatever you like. I promise I'll be right back," Yukie promised before leaving to go bathe herself.
Daniel awkwardly sat on the couch and flipped on the TV. Nothing was on today but crappy romance movies and Spanish soap operas. Sighing, he turned the TV off and looked around the place. He jumped when he felt something rub itself against his legs. Looking down, Daniel saw the culprit. There, rubbing itself against his leg, was an adorable chubby Tabby kitten. Daniel smiled. The kitten purred while circling him. "Hi there, buddy. You're cute. I'm sorry, but I don't have any snacks for you," Daniel said kneeling down to pet the pudgy beast.
The kitten meowed and jumped up on him, trying to climb his leg to rest on his chest. Daniel laughed and gently scooped the kitten up. Going over to the couch the vampire sat down to play with the kitten. Several minutes later, Yukie stepped out, drying her hair off, and saw the two playing together. She smiled. "I see you met Oscar. He really likes you. Usually he's shy, and doesn't come up to anyone but me," Yukie commented.
Oscar purred happily in Daniel's lap, curling up in a tiny ball to sleep. Yukie went over and sat next to him. Now, Daniel was totally fine with people sitting next to him, but when he noticed what she was wearing, he tensed up. Yukie wasn't wearing anything provocative. It was nothing too serious, but she did put on a shirt that was way too big on her frame, and you could easily see the outline of her breasts. Of course, not every woman slept in their bras. She was a C cup, and it took every ounce of self-control he had not to stare. Oscar made an irritable hissing noise when Daniel shifted, and he hopped off his lap onto his owner's instead to fall asleep. (Sorry there, buddy,) Daniel thought to himself.
"Hey, are you feeling alright? You've been jumpy all day," Yukie asked.
(If I come clean to her about the truth, she'll probably hate me and think I'm a pervert, but if I just keep playing it off, she'll know something is up,) Daniel thought to himself. Yukie was concerned for his health. Well, his overall well-being. Vampires couldn't get sick. He sighed, and he decided to tell her the truth.
Once again, Yukie burst out laughing and accidentally snorted. Covering her mouth, she apologized. "Eww, sorry about that. That's so ugly and nerdy. I'll go change if it makes you uncomfortable," she offered.
Daniel shook his head no. "No, this is your home. You are allowed to parade around in whatever you like… I… I just don't want you to think I'm some type of pervert or a freak," he muttered.
"I wouldn't wear anything like this in front of a man if I wasn't comfortable with him," Yukie assured him. The mortal reached up to give him a peck on the forehead.
Daniel was relieved, but suddenly, a wave of nausea hit him like a deer jumping in front of an oncoming vehicle. Gently pushing her away, he sprinted to the bathroom, vomiting up the food he ate. Yukie winced. She hated hearing people throw up. It's not like it was getting her sick, but it still made her cringe.
Several minutes later, Daniel emerged from the bathroom, looking tired and drained. "You must be hungry," Yukie noticed.
Daniel just nodded his head weakly. He had totally forgot to bring blood packs with him, like a moron. He internally kicked and screamed at himself for being so foolish. "I'll be back soon, Yukie. I'm going to go hunting," Daniel said. Yukie wasn't going to have any of that. He tried to head out, but she blocked the doorway. "Come on, Yukie. This isn't funny. Move out of the way. Please. I don't want to get so hungry that I'll frenzy. I don't want to hurt you or anyone else. Especially you…" He said softly.
The huntress stubbornly placed her hands on her hips. "Well, if you are hungry, just feed off me," she offered.
"What?" Daniel asked as if he were hard of hearing.
"Chotto anata wa watashi o kikimashita. Hey, you heard me. Just listen. I'll let you feed from me. You don't have to go out hunting tonight. You can eat me instead, and not in the way you think. Sorry if this sounds awkward, but it's nothing but bums outside. And, to be honest with you, I'm curious what a vampire bite feels like," Yukie added.
Daniel blinked, and it took him a while to comprehend everything she just said. "Yukie, are you really sure it's alright?" He asked.
"Yes, Daniel. It's fine, but don't turn or drain me. If you kill me, I'll hunt you and kick your undead butt!" She threatened, but there was a playful undertone in the threat.
Daniel fidgeted. "Okay, but hold still. I promise this will only hurt a little bit." He warned. Yukie let him take hold of her, and he tilted her neck, finding her artery. He bit down. Yukie tensed up, but he rubbed her hair to calm her down. The human slowly relaxed. Suddenly, a euphoria of pleasure hit Yukie like a ton of bricks. Never in her life had she felt this good. She wasn't a drug user, and never would be. She had an exception: an ex-boyfriend that loved smoking weed, and it stunk up the place horribly. This was absolute heaven, though. No drug could top this.
*Daniel's p.o.v*
I almost saw stars. Yukie tasted heavenly as the warm blood filled my mouth and slid down my throat. I admired her even more. My love and friend tasted of the finest gourmet chocolate money could buy. She tasted of expensive caramels and glazed strawberries, and when I felt her pulse start to falter, I stopped, licking the wound closed. The young woman laid tiredly in my arms, woozy and pleasure-ridden.
I cleaned the rest of the blood from her neck and gently placed her in her bedroom, which, to my surprise, was cute and girly. Everything a Japanese girl would have in her bedroom, from plushies, to makeup, and tons of anime figurines and manga. I recognized a few series: Bleach, Naruto, Gabriel Dropout, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Chibi Vampire.
Laying her on her bed, I tucked her in and sat at the computer desk nearby. I was not going to get in next to her, because that would be horrible if she woke up and saw me next to her. She might think I've taken advantage of her, and that would be a horrible misunderstanding. I sat and watched her resting while I waited for her to wake up.
Meanwhile
*Deep in the Woods*
An injured blonde man pulled himself out of a river. He looked at the skies, and cursed every God he could think of. Was this what he got for trying to make a difference in this cruel world? The man was no other than the ex-prince of LA: Prince Sebastian Lacroix. His body ached, and he bled from a deep wound on his stomach. Wincing, he covered the big gash with hand to try to stop the bleeding. He needed blood ASAP, but just not any blood. Ventures only could drink the finest quality of blood, whether it be from the rich, upperclassmen, or royalty themselves. Anything beneath that would cause them to vomit everything back up. Suddenly, he heard footsteps and a couple of heartbeats.
"Just in time for lunch…" Lacroix thought to himself. How convenient. He sniffed the air. It was two German men going camping. Maybe this was a streak of luck. Not for the mortals, but for himself that is.
"Hey, Gunther. I'm going to go use the bathroom. You go set up the tent, yeah," the first man commanded.
His friend smiled, hitching a big bag of camping supplies on his back. "Okie dokie. I'll have it up soon, buddy," The other man replied.
Prince Lacroix watched the other man leave and then followed his friend deeper into the woods. The other man, unaware of his presence, whistled and unzipped his pants, relieving himself on a nearby tree. Lacroix scrunched his nose up in disgust, but he had to eat soon. The man heard nothing but the bushes rustle, and saw Lacroix pounce on him.
And the world suddenly went black.
To be continued.….
Edited by Darkest Nightmare's Dread
