Chapter Two- Vampire Education

Hiei slept the rest of the night and most of the next morning away. He wasn't concerned about that; he had known himself to sleep for long periods before. He was concerned about his new lifestyle. He was required to kill humans in order to drink blood to live. He had restrained himself for so long that the idea of killing humans was almost repulsive. Even if and when he killed, how was he supposed to not feel guilty and what if he couldn't drain them? Questions were mounting higher and higher and Hiei felt overwhelmed. I need answers. But I don't know any vampires- except the one who turned me. It seems I'm on my own which is fine with me. I survived on my own before and I can do it again.

He jumped out of his tree and into a sunlit area. He suddenly put his hands over his face. The sun was so bright, brighter than it should be. It was almost painful. Why is it so bright?

"Ah, there you are, my mostly demon friend," came a familiar voice. He felt himself being led to what he guessed was a shaded spot due to the decreased intensity of the light. He lowered his hands to see the woman wearing a pair of sunglasses and holding out a pair for him. He grabbed them and put them on before glaring at her. "You didn't warn me the sun would be so bright."

"Well, you left so fast I didn't have time to properly educate you. By the way, I'm Lynn. And you are?"

"Hiei," he grunted. "I do have questions. I think one would be, why are you not acting dark? Why are you being nice?"

"Oh, I'm dark all right. However, it's less so in daylight and when teaching a new vampire. Once I'm done teaching and night falls, I'll be dark again." Lynn flashed her fangs.

"So the same would go for me," Hiei stated.

"Actually, you'll be darker since you're a demon- mostly. No one really knows as demons haven't been turned, until now. Anyway, eventually you'll cease being a demon and will just be a vampire. I started as a human when I was turned, but now I'm a vampire."

"So, the sun…" Hiei prompted.

"Yes. Vampire are nocturnal so our eyes are sensitive to bright light so sunglasses are necessary to walk in sunlight. Most vampires choose to sleep during the day. I do that but since I need to teach you, I put my glasses on, grabbed a spare, and came to find you."

"How did you find me?"

"Your aura. It still has the light of a living person, but it is also dark like a vampire and getting darker. I say by tonight your aura will be the darkness of a vampire.

"And speaking of tonight, let me tell you about feeding. I'm guessing demon are stronger than humans." Hiei nodded. "Okay, then your strength won't change and you'll need that when you attack. It's best to attack from the shadows; that way you have the element of surprise."

"Hn. I know about attacking from the shadows. What concerns me is the guilt of killing and if I can't drain the victim."

"Yes, those are real concerns. You may feel guilt tonight or you may not. I really don't know you, but I sensed you would make a great vampire and that's why I turned you. Now, you won't have trouble draining your first victim as it'll be your first. There will be times where you won't be able to drink all the blood and that's when you must bleed them dry and store the remainder in a bag or container. I prefer a large cup so I can suck through a straw." Lynn licked her lips with relish.

"Why not raid a blood bank?" Hiei asked. "Wouldn't that be easier?"

"It would, but the thrill of the attack is too good to pass up. You'll see that tonight. Would you care for some assistance tonight?"

"No. I can manage by myself. I've been alone most of my life. I just need to know advantages and weaknesses."

"Of course. Let's start with weaknesses. In addition to silver and crosses, pretty much anything that can definitely kill a human can kill us except for guns, broken bones, and impalement that doesn't strike the stomach, brain, or heart."

"Can fire kill us?"

"Absolutely."

Hiei frowned. "I'm a fire demon. How will that work?"

Lynn shook her head. "Everything demon about you will be gone tonight save for speed and strength. Oh, come on, it's not like you didn't already know that," she added at the stunned look on Hiei's face. "I told you your aura will be vampire dark. The moment that happens, everything from your previous life will be gone. There are advantages to make up for it. Enhanced senses, ability to sense auras, being impossible to kill, and of course, immortality."

"Fail to see how immortality is an advantage if we can die by what can kill a human."

"Just you wait until tonight, you'll see."

Hiei played with his fire after Lynn had left. He only had a few hours left as a demon before he lost it forever. He considered killing himself before night fell but dismissed it. There had been times in the past when Hiei had considered suicide, but always resisted in doing so. This time was no different. He ran what he had learned in his mind and found that humans were only right about some of the ways to kill a vampire and wrong about what they can do.

Contrary to what they believe, vampires aren't pale, they can walk in sunlight, they can't fly or turn into bats, and they can't hang upside-down. I'm also sure they have reflections as they are solid.

Hiei ran to a dark alley to await his change and be in a perfect position to attack his first victim. Wait…I'll be able to attack humans without worry. I mean, I'll be a vampire and vampires attack humans; it's in their nature. Heh, that's one advantage I'll enjoy.

He pushed up his right sleeve and used his remaining fire to start burning away the bandage. He would no longer need them; the Dragon of Darkness Flame would return to the pits of Spirit World tonight and he wanted to see that happen.

A pulse throbbed through him and the fire in his hand and on the bandage were promptly snuffed out: His demon energy was gone. He quickly ripped the rest of the bandage off and watched as the Dragon unwound itself from his arm, soar into the sky, and disappear.

Is that it? he wondered. Am I truly a vampire now? Only one way to find out: I must kill a human and wait to see if I'm arrested.

"Koenma, something's wrong."

"What do you mean, Botan?"

"It's Hiei. His demon energy's gone, but he's not dead and the Dragon of Darkness Flame has returned to our pits."

"Indeed? I wonder why. I do hope nothing's seriously wrong with him."