Rating: M for violence and sexual situations
Disclaimer: I only own Valentin, everything else I'm just playing with.
...1928 New Orleans...
Edward Anthony Masen stalked the Quarters the moment the sun sunk into the horizon. The soft lulling of horns drifted on the air stirring his curiosity. As the upper class citizens cleared the streets, he noticed another crowd filling in as the night consumed the remaining light. There was something on the air; it was an inhuman presence.
"What's a young thing like you doing by your lonesome?"
Edward focused his eyes on the woman leaning against the brick wall. Her ankles crossed as she rested at the entrance of the alley. She wasn't dressed like anything he was used to seeing. Crimson silk brushed her knees; the front of the dress cut low revealing her pale skin. He arms crossed below her breasts, the long bell sleeves reaching her hips. He dared to breathe...nothing. Her thin brows lifted as her pink lips quirked in amusement.
"I'm taking in the sights Miss…"
He trailed off meeting her dark blue eyes.
"Miss Higurashi if you must," she finished. "If you were from here you'd know why it's unsafe to wander the Quarters alone."
Edward chuckled as he said, "I'm plenty capable."
Her thin shoulders lifted as she said, "Sure." Honestly, she looked like she didn't believe him
"Isn't it dangerous for a lady to be alone?" Edward asked, teasing her.
She motioned her chin past him causing him to glance over his shoulder. An officer glared at him. Edward caught the way the officer scowled before he walked off. He could hear the man's low mutter of 'dangerous creatures.' It was impossible he knew what he was.
"I'm plenty capable," Miss Higurashi teased, drawing his attention.
"Call me Edward," he said.
"Well Edward, I better clear the streets and get ready for the show."
She rolled her body off the brick and turned. He wasn't sure how what she wore could be considered clothing; her back cut low like her front. She flashed him a daunting smirk before she stepped forward and vanished.
He wondered if she were vampire. The woman didn't smell like death, or a shifter. She also didn't react like a human.
Laughter erupted behind him as people wearing masks and cloaks danced down the streets. The steady tapping of a drum joined the lullaby of horns. The music drifted from the alley. If there was a show, he wanted to see. Stepping into the darkness, this is why he left Carlisle. He wanted to do things his way, discover life.
The alley stretched on until he suddenly found himself at a dead end. The man standing at the end of the alley grinned. His shaggy black hair hung around his tanned features. His white dress shirt hung loose around his black pants, his feet were bare. Edward glanced at the man's face noting his green eyes; they were equal in height.
"Well, well, well. Valentin never seen your likes 'ere before." The stranger at the door smirked, he looked him over. "Care to introduce yourself to Valentin?"
"I'm looking for a girl…"
"Aren't we all?" Valentin chuckled.
"...she was short, foreign, and…"
Valentin laughed, his head leaned back before he spread his hands and said, "We all strangers here." Edward scowled as he opened his mouth, but Valentin shook his head and said, "Listen." Edward wasn't expecting to hear anything. There music was beating against the door, trying to escape. "You tell Miss Higurashi that Valentin said to play nice."
Valentin stepped forward pulling open a metal door as he stepped aside and motioned him along. The beat of the music lured him. Edward looked at the man one last time before stepping inside. The door groaned as it shut, sealing him within the dimly lit hall. Candles lined the walls, wax rolling toward the floor where it puddled; he could smell sweat on the air. As he moved down the hall, the dull hum he heard outside gave way to the sorrowful tune of a saxophone.
The room was charged with an energy an inhuman energy, and every mind around him was shut tight. Eyes glanced at him before focusing elsewhere; just like that, he was dismissed. On the stage was a hefty colored man, saxophone cradled to his body like a lover. The melody lingered on the air as he pulled away, his lips moved.
Gonna down to the Orleans,
Leavin' dis all behind
I hear her ah' callin
Whisperin' of sweeter times.
His head snapped to the left as a coppery tang filled the air with the soft popping of a cork. A male held a wine bottle. The liquid he poured was thick, dark red as it coated the glass. There was no doubt it was blood. He stepped forward feeling a familiar ache in his throat.
Made a deal with the devil,
He said I got another day
I hear him whispering,
Telling me to play.
Edward let his gaze drift back to the stage as the feminine voice rose above the music. Miss Higurashi was standing on a small balcony above the stage. She licked her lips; her voice echoing through the room. The melody continued its rhythm even as she lifted her hands.
"Welcome to Le Bon Temps, were the good times never stop rolling!" Cheers erupted in howls, yips, and clapping. She snapped her hands forward halting the excitement as she grinned. Edward's brows lifted when he spotted fangs in her mouth. She lifted a leg and pushed herself onto the small ledge before letting her legs hang over. "In the streets out there, law and crime try to tell us what we should be doing...but we all know I do what I want."
She pushed off the ledge, floating to the ground and landing on her toes. The cheers erupted as she shouted, "In here, the blood that flows doesn't go to waste! In here, we live for moment, seizing our day! In the Orleans, what's mine is yours as long as you give first!"
When Madam calls,
The blood will fall, in the Orleans.
Edward felt around his mouth wondering why he didn't have fangs. For a moment, he thought she was acting foolish and for show. Yet, he couldn't imagine why'd she do such a thing. Something inside here wasn't human, and as she crossed the distance he knew she was positive he'd entered another world. She snatched a glass flute from a tray as she crossed the distance. The flute was filled with blood, it slowly traced its way from the glass to her mouth as she weaved through the crowd. It was empty and she set it on a table before she reached him.
"Edward, I knew you'd find my niche," Miss Higurashi said, smiling. Her fangs gleamed in the candlelight. The tip of her tongue traced the teeth between her fangs. Left, right and right, left-like a metronome.
"What is this place and what are you?" Edward asked as he watched her.
Carlisle hadn't spoken of places like this. He wondered if Chicago had such gatherings, or New York. A bottle and two glasses were brought over and placed on a table. Miss Higurashi took a seat and motioned for him to the same. The waiter eyed him for a moment before leaving.
"Welcome to my supernatural getaway, Le Bon Temps. I'm called Miss Higurash. Creatures that anger me call me Madam. As for what I am, I'm the owner of this town and you've entered my territory with no announcement." Her eyes studied him before she sighed. "I can see Northerners have no manners."
Edward scowled as he said, "I was passing through…"
"Not all is safe in New Orleans, and those that pass by owe me tribute."
Edward laughed thinking it was a joke. She didn't laugh as she lifted the glass and let the blood drag along the glass and into her mouth.
"I've got nothing."
She leaned forward, delicate nose sniffing. The frown upon her face showed her distaste at whatever she found.
"You're one of those," Kagome sighed as swirled her blood.
Edward scowled as he asked, "One of what?"
"One of those vampires. A creature that can walk in the day and survive...provided you don't die of embarrassment." Kagome took a delicate sip as she lifted a brow, challenging him to refute her.
"And what are you?" Edward asked, tone annoyed.
Kagome grinned as she said, "I'm Queen of this city and no one walks these streets without paying homage to me."
"I hate to sound repetitive, but I don't have anything," Edward said.
Her eyes were the type of sky blue that turned grey when the weather soured. There was a bad weather on the horizon. She lazily eyed his legs before she dragged her gaze the length of his body.
"I'd be willing to take a pound of flesh."
Edward felt she meant literally. She stretched, her chest lifting toward him as she continued grinning.
"Valintin said to play nice."
Her eyes widened before she laughed, her mirth lost in the music. Kagome leaned forward placing her hand on his knee as she kept his gaze. He tried to brush against her mind only to find himself blocked.
"Oh Edward," Kagome sighed, "I've been a vampire for close to four centuries...your little tricks can't affect me."
"Tell me what you are!"
He gripped her wrist, adding strength that was normally restrained. The sound leaving her mouth was mirthless as her brows knitted in annoyance. Her free hand wrapped around his throat; they were flying through the bar. His back slammed against brick causing the foundation to shake.
"I warned you; you shouldn't disrespect me in my city!" She squeezed, he could hear the bones in his neck protest. The wall groaned, dust spilling as she pushed stepped forward. His eyes took in the patrons of the bar; they ignored them as the music continued. "Your Volturi doesn't hold influence with my breed." The tip of her tongue played with her fang. "Killing you would be a hassle, but I don't mind a little mess."
His fingers bit into her wrist and he lifted his foot intent on kicking her away. Kagome chuckled as she the impact shook her, but didn't move her.
"What are you?"
"It's all in your choice, what you want me to be," Kagome said, calmly with a grin, "your death, or a good time."
Kagome released him allowing him to land on his feet. She stepped back watching him as he rubbed his throat. She wasn't anything he could kill, and he doubted he'd make it far if he chose to run.
"A pound of flesh, for a safe stay in New Orleans."
...TBC...
Author's Note:
My first attempt at writing a Twilight and Inuyasha story! I wanted to write a story based on the time when Edward went off on his own. The Inuyasha part is AU, as you all can tell. I hope you enjoyed the first part. I plan this to be a three chaptered story and the other parts are finished, just in my editing phase!
Remember, this story is 'M' and will have violence and sexual situations!
Please review!