A/N: I've been writing this story for some time, but never published it anywhere outside of my writing journal. I decided to share it here as I've become more and more fond of it. I hope you enjoy it!

Exquisite Desire

"Maybe they did what they had to do to live, and tried to get a little love and have a little fun before the darkness took them." - Poppy Z Brite (Lost Souls)

Rank... Old... Dead... Foul.

No matter the age after puberty, woman always tasted of these things. Old things that have been sitting out for too long in the sun. before the age when their breasts swelled and their bodies began the cycle of blood, their taste was acceptable at this time. There was still a linger of gathering blood, but it was faint. Infants were the best, the purest taste, but they were harder and more complicated to obtain. Their bodies were untainted by the the separations of genders, the chemicals of the world that changed their flavor.

Most said he was too picky or that it was all in his head. That was like saying that wine didn't have special tastes and smells. Foolishness on their part. Maybe he had a special sense that they didn't, or maybe they were right and he was picky, but he had his master to blame for that. No one was pickier then he.

He had no watch, he had no windows, but something inside of him flipped a switch. It was time.

Rising out of bed, he stretched his limbs out and took in an unnecessary deep breath The smells that reached his nose were not pleasant ones. Dust. Mold. Dirt.

Blegh.

Moving through the darkness of his room, he pulled clothes out of the closet and dressed. As he left the apartment that was his hiding place and stepped out into the night, more pleasant smells reached him. The joys of the night filled his nose and ears. The wondrous creatures of the night, rejoicing at the disappearance of the harsh sun. He was hungry as they were hungry. Perhaps he should venture deep into the city to eat tonight. Japan had cities that did not sleep until the hours of night were nearly over. At this hour, there were people walking, making it much easier for him. He loved Japan, Tokyo especially. The country threw things at your senses every chance it got. It could be extremely overwhelming, but exciting. He loved exciting. Once he reached the center of the city, he paused and let his nostrils flair, inhaling the city smells.

One particular smell caught his senses like fire, so hard he staggered slightly from his poised position, his eyes widening. What was that? How could he have possibly lived without it before? Those that denied the differences in tastes and smells had obviously never smelled this. They would not taste it either. It was his. His alone. He craved it, wanted it, needed it more then anything in the world.

Gathering himself up, he moved through the crowds towards it. So hungry he was, but he could hold himself back for this. He wouldn't give himself away over a smell, not matter how he ached for it. He was not some foul vermin that had no control over himself. His skills demanded more. His rank required it.

Before he even arrived, he knew the source to be male and wasn't disappointed. In front of him was a group of young people, possibly in their late teenage years. His mark was near the back of the group, clearly not wanting to be there at all. Well, tonight he was going to wish he'd tried harder to convince them that he didn't want to join their fun. Either he could possibly regret this for the rest of his life, however short it was, or he may relish in it. He would know in a few hours.

"Hello," he said simply, announcing his presence behind them.

The group turned to face him, sending small puffs of scents to him. They'd been drinking before they'd started out, but not ihim/i. No... he hadn't tasted any liquor. He didn't want to. Onyx eyes met his azure ones then glanced away, stepping back as the others moved forward. His companions clearly thought he was a prostitute of some kind - a foreigner wanting a good time, but he ignored their words of hopeful repulsion. His eyes were on the young man trying to turn invisible. Those deep pools glanced up again, this time frozen in the hold that his own eyes had on him. The pause wasn't long, but it was intense enough that the boy shift uncomfortably. With the movement the spell was broken and he stepped through the group to him, his pale arms, not trembling in the cool winter air despite their bareness, stretched around his neck as his fingers brushed his cheeks.

"Will you come?" he asked, but nothing could stop him from coming. Nothing.

"I..." his voice was as soft as his skin. And calm despite his discomfort. He might have been a higher student... possibly a speaker for his class.

"Yeah, Itachi!" his companions cheered him on, nudging him closer then the brunette wanted.

"I would rather not," Itachi, what an interesting name, said. He was a curious boy, though in his onyx eyes it was he who was the boy. There was an apologetic tone in his voice. "I'm sorry... I have no money on me. I'd rather not waste your time."

"Money means nothing to me," he told him, sliding his hands down Itachi's arms, catching his fingers just so. It made the brunette take a step even though he had not pulled him. The smell of him was nearly unbearable, but still he waited. "You do not want to go out with these people. They would leave you unconscious in the gutter."

The thought seemed to have crossed Itachi's mind before, his words confirming them. "What about you?"

"I will lay you to rest in a bed of silk tonight." he replied. "Alcohol will not touch your lips unless you want it." And he followed. If only to escape his companions, but he was his. He would fulfill his need of his taste and thirst for his blood.

"My name is Itachi...What is your name?" the brunette asked him as they walked down the street.

"My name is Deidara."

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A/N: I love reviews! 3