Author's Notes: Greetings mortals. If you have read my message that falls under the name "Midnight Vampiress" then you'll understand what this is about. I also forgot to mention that the reviews will not be shown here either. ;_; I hate that part. But anyway, as long as this chapter's here then that's what counts.

If you read this you don't have to read it again. I'm just uploading it.

P.S. I'm not changing the author's notes below. All I really want is to get this message out and upload the fic. Sorry for the confusion.

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Sweet Blood - Chapter 1: "A Deadly First Encounter" By: Hell's Huntress (DawnVampiress@aol.com)
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The evening sky towered brightly above the fully lighted city below. The moon was full and it hung high upon the sky's midnight shade of blue. Numerous stars dotted the clear ocean of blue, joining in with the moon's silver rays. It was a vision of loveliness. Though there were other visions below.....

Down within the waves of bright colors walked a man of strong build. He roamed the land with his firm shoulders pulled back into a confident pose while he briskly strode passed strippers who practically swooned at his feet. To other men, it was flattering knowing that their handsome build was enough to make any woman drool. To Darien, it was disgusting.

Darien Shields, the most elegant bachelor to ever roam the earth and the most wanted slayer of all time was a man of arrogance. He had the looks to kill anyone with lust, yet he ignored any woman that tried flirting with him....tried.

In his eyes, all these silly women were wasting their time upon thinking that he would fall for any of them. If he were to be with a woman for a certain amount of time, it would probably last no longer than seven days. If he were to find interest in a lady, it would be brief. If he were to show interest in a woman, that would be brief as well unless his job required.

His job....a slayer....he scoffed at it. Being a slayer not only attracted more silly women to him but it also required long hours of enduring slutty whore flirting with him. He couldn't stand being a slayer any longer. It was a good thing he had told Cline that this would be his last task when it came to dealing with fatal females.

A stripper wearing a bright red thong with her hair spread across her breasts crossed his path. She slid her arms around his shoulders and flirtasiously licked his earlobe. Darien shivered in disgust as he coldy walked away from her aroused body.

The woman, however, may have been a stripper but she was not one to accept the cold shoulder for an answer. Clenching her fists, she narrowed her eyes at Darien's nochalant form and cooly walked beside him. Halting him in his tracks, she leaned over so that her cleavage was exposed and whispered in his ear. " You don't really want to walk away from me, do you babe? "

Darien, who took note of the fact that her breasts were poking out through her hair, coldy slid away from her. Silly girl! Of course he wanted to walk away from her. " Go to hell, you whore, " he bit back sharply, causing the stripper to stare in shock at his retreiting form.

Darien smirked at his clever come-backs, and even though he knew that what he said was rather harsh, he didn't care. All he knew at that moment was that he had to reach his destination. His midnight blue spheres already held their grasp upon the sight of the club he was heading for. He needed a drink to help himself cool off after his hectic week, and the club had just the right thing he needed.

Confidently walking passed the other strippers, Darien held his gaze upon the Club de Murir....

his destination.

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" What will it be, Dare? " Andrew Hawker called out from the counter the moment he saw his best friend enter the room.

Darien took note of his friend's grinning face and cocked his brow. " Very interested in my order, I see....."

" Well, I'm not into this whole second job crap for nothing. If I wanna get paid for this shit then I might as well work to get paid, if you know what I mean. "

Darien nodded skeptically before grabbing a seat in front of the counter. " True....get me my usual order. "

" Brandy again? Man, don't you ever get tired of that crap? "

" First of all, it is not crap. And second, you wouldn't get tired about Mina, now would you? "

" No. "

" Thought so. After all, you're doing this job for her, right? "

Andrew frowned and grabbed a glass behind the counter. " Well, yeah. If my girl wants me to be in the same club she works in, then I will. "

Darien rolled his eyes while watching Andrew pour the brandy into the clear glass. He could already feel his mouth watering for the drink. Though something else that caught his eye made his mouth water even more.....

About three seats away from him sat a girl who seemed to be drinking the same liquid as he was about to drink. Her body was slightly covered within the shadows of the passing people, though he could instantly tell that she was to die for. Her golden hair flowed around her slim waist, while her crystal blue eyes were directed at the drink before her. She was a vision of loveliness.

" But you wouldn't know about that cause you've never really been with a girl," Andrew continued, cutting Darien's train of thoughts.

This insulted him. " What do you mean I haven't been with a girl? Of course, I have. "

" Well, yeah that's true. But your relationships are only for your job and you yourself told me that you didn't like them. "

Darien clenched his fists. " Do NOT talk about my job Andrew. You know it's bad enough that I've had to live with it for four years of my life so don't even dare talk about it...."

" You really hate it that much, don't you? "

" Shut the hell up, " Darien muttered in an intimidating, low voice. However, Andrew just gaved him his beverage and snorted. He was used to his bestfriend's threats. Other people might have been terribly intimidated but Andrew was not one of them.

" Excuse me, " the girl beside Darien called out, gaining Andrew's attention. " Could I have more brandy please? "

" Sure, " Andrew called out before smirking at Darien.

Darien, however, was lost in deep thought. The girl had leaned over the counter and handed her glass to Andrew, allowing Darien to see more of her body. Her long legs were covered in knee-high boots while tight, skirt-like leather shorts descended to her mid-thigh. It seemed more like underwear to Darien rather than a pair of shorts.

Her black tube top hugged her upper bosy like a second skin. Her neckline was so low that Darien could see a the line of her breasts. A black collar hung from her neck while the tattoo of a chain encircled her arm. Her cheeks and stomach seemed to be covered in silver body glitter, while on her navel rested a silver navel ring. And best of all, her clothing was made of black leather.

Darien took a sip of beverage while observing her. His motuh seemed to water even more. For the first time in his life, he found himself actually lusting for a woman which didn't involve his job. The way she had that spunky bad girl attitude just made Darien wanna.....

Darien's train of throughts trailed off upon seeing Andrew's smirk. He frowned at this.

Andrew's smirk grew wider as he leaned over the counter. " Her name's Serena. I've heard that she's a real bad ass and keeps guys as her play toys or something. Word says that she gives different people different name so no one really knows what her real name is, " he whispered.

Darien cocked his brow. " And I suppose that Serena's her real name, then? "

Andrew shrugged. " I guess. She started coming her every Friday night since about two months ago so I managed to make friends with her. She told me that Serena is her real name though I can't be sure about that....."

" So she trusts you then? "

" Probably. Either that or she just felt comfortable telling me this cause she knows I won't take interest in her since I have Mina. "

" She knows Mina? "

" I told her about Mina. The two met and they're pretty friends now. "

Darien took a sip of his beverage again and licked his lips. Serena.....if that was her real name then he's in luck.

" And you know what else I heard? I heard that she fucks a lot of guys every night and she's still a virgin. No one knows how she gets off unharmed. She must use birth control pills or something. "

" And why would I have to know about this, " Darien cocked his brow.

" Well you did ask a couple of questions, didn't you? And you were interested when I told you what I knew about her so I figured you might wanna know this one, " Andrew smirked.

" Excuse me? Andrew, is my drink ready?, " The girl, naimgly Serena, called out once again.

" Sure, I got it, " Andrew smirked at Darien one more time before handing Serena the drink.

" Thanks, " she replied while taking a sip of the cool beverage.

Darien allowed his eyes to remain glued on her for a few moments. He was drained in his thought and lustful desires for her that he didn't even notice all the jealous glares most of the strippers were giving Serena. A few whispers accompanied the sound of glasses. Andrew carefully observed the two from the corner of his eye, smirking to himself.

Serena, on the other hand, sihifted in her seat upon feeling Darien's eyes on her. Arching her back, she crossed her legs revealing her creamy thighs for Darien to see.

Darien licked his lips before hungrily seeking another sip of brandy to calm his erect member. Did this girl have any idea about what she was doing to him?

" So I see you like brandy, " the silence was broken by her seductive voice.

" Yeah, similar tastes I see, " Darien replied with lust dripping from his tongue.

" Hmm....is that why you were staring at me, " Serena turned to face Darien, allowing him to get a clearer view of her face.

" I wasn't staring...." Darien's sentence trailed off. Once again, he was lost in a pool of lust that made the buldge in his pants seem bigger. Serena took note of this and smirked.

Darien licked his lips again just by staring at her own. Red and tempting....her lips seemed to invite him right then and there. Her blue eyes....crystal blue eyes that seemed to drown him even more. Her creamy face was flawless while a few blonde strands carefully framed her face. She seemed like a goddess and a vixen all together.

" Yes you are...you're doing it again, " she smirked.

Darien snapped out of his trance and inwardly scolded himself. His job was to tempt female bloodsuckers, not fall for someone.

" Amanda, " A man who looked as if he were Darien's age approached Serena, referring to her using a different name.

Serena stood up and flashed Darien a smirk before allowing the man to slide his arm around her and take her home....or were they really heading home?

Darien watched their retreating forms disappear into the crowd before turning to face Andrew.
" Amanda?, " the name rolled off his tongue.

" I told you she changes her name. I heard her tell this other guy her name was Victoria and now that dude just called her a different name....see what I mean? "

" I still doubt that Serena's her real name though. "

" True...but I still have a feeling that-"

" That she gave you her real name because you were a slayer, too? "

" Probably. "

" But you're not a slayer anymore. She doesn't even know you were one and unless she was related to you in some way then she wouldn't give you her real name. "

" Maybe she's not that ordinary, " Andrew grinned. " Hey, I gotta go. Mina's probably waiting for me. "

Darien rolled his eyes and gulped down his entire drink. Taking out some bills, he placed it on the counter and turned toward the door. " Same here. See ya, " he called out, not even bothering to look back.

The cold blew harshly against his face as he exited the club. It was hot inside....way to hot and walking into the cold night air seemed a bit refreshing for him at the moment. A few tall men flashed him some sour looks before heading into the club while some of the strippers hanging from their arms drooled at the sight of Darien.

Darien snorted. First he finds himself lusting over some girl and now whores were placing themselves at his feet again? Disgusting! Not only were the strippers drooling utterly disgusting but the very idea of lusting over someone seemed to cover him as well. He felt disgusted with himself. How could he be so stupid?

" There you are baby, " The stripper he had encountered earlier grinned while sliding her arms around his neck. Darien frowned. Why the hell was this slut all over him again?! Didn't he already lose her?

" What the hell do you want now, " he barked. " Didn't I make myself clear enough earlier?! "

" God, if you could just give me a break here you know then everything would be fine-"

" Nothing will be fine if I'm around a lesbian like you. " (AN: I do NOT have anything against bi people. I'm just adding it for the story, alright?)

" Excuse me, " the stripper spat out, a look of shock written all over her features. " I am not a lesbian you-"

" Just shut the fuck up, alright? I'm not in the mood for you. " At that, Darien slid her arms off him before walking off into the darkness. Once again his shoulders were held back into a proud composure and his once drooling features were ice cold again. Somehow, the shadow of the event that happened that night was gone...the shadow of that vixen that would probably haunt his dreams forever didn't seem to exist any longer. She was at the back of his mind.

The stripper stared at his retreating form and frowned. Clenching her fists, she bit her bottom lip and licked the blood off when it started to bleed. Another stripper stood beside her and watched his cold composure as well.

" Ignored again, huh? "

" Shut up. "

" Hey, I'm trying to make you feel better here. That guy's a jackass. Aren't you gonna get him? "

" Nah, my sister will get him, " she smirked before walking off to flirt with other guys.

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The darkness loomed above the once midnight blue sky. Dawn seemed nearer yet clouds covered the almost light blue sky. Silence rang everywhere and only the echo of long strides accompanied the deathly sound.

Darien walked briskly passed buildings and into an alley, making sure that he took the right short cut. If he was going to get anywhere with this job then he might as well save time.

The cold wind brushed across his cheek, causing him to slightly shiver. There was a cold presence in the area, other than his own, and it made him more anxious to get things over with.

The wind seemed to blow harder, but the sound ringing everywhere only grew louder. Somehow, his footsteps didn't seem like the only one around anymore. In the darkness that hovered behind him rang the sound of another set of footsteps...one filled with anxiety, anger, and perhaps determination, yet one that seemed a bit calmer than his own. It seemed as if whoever was behind him knew exactly what he or she wanted.

Darien continued walking and pretended to pay no attention to this. He was expecrienced with this, and he knew what these types of things meant. Blasted females...think they're smart enough to make him seem like the dumb one by following him. Didn't they think that he knew they were there? Their attempts were fruitless, and it made his work easier.

Increasing his pace a bit more, Darien lowered his hand so that it leveled with his waist. Reaching into his jacket, he grasped the cold material that hid in it's leather case. Pulling it out, Darien made sure that it didn't shine against the walls. That would make things worse.

Darien silently pulled the weapon out and held it firmly within his grasp. More anxiety built up within both pair of footsteps, and even though he didn't see who was behind him, Darien knew that whoever it was was getting ready to attack as well. He could feel anxious glares cast upon his back just like his own.

Faster and faster his pace went, and whatever he did was done by the other. Darien rasied his eyes to meet the alley's dead end. It was only a few feet away from him now and he either had to push himself back from the wall or make a sharp turn and seize whoever was behind him when he or she turned as well.

Deciding not to push himself backward, Darien continued walking forward so that there was no hint of what he was about to do. Getting ready to make the turn, Darien grasped the knife in his hand and turned sharply to his right, only to meet a shadow that wasn't his own.

The figure had gotten there first and easily stepped into the moon's faint light.

" Hello Darien, " she smirked.

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Author's Notes: Cliffhangers...I know. Well don't blame me. I started this fic a long time ago and I only had enough time to write the last part. I had to stop somewhere soon so I might as well make it a cliffhanger, right?

Anyway, thank you once again to all the people that emailed me and reviewed my work. I am working on Got Milk and that will hopefully be out before next week...at least I think it will. No expectations though, please. It's only a might.

Please excuse any spelling errors I have created. I'm trying to write this quickly so there's a HUGE chance of mistakes. Please excuse them.

Now, the next chapter to this will not be out soon. I plan to make this a short fic....less than ten chapters I hope because after this, I will be making another fic to accompany Got Milk. I can tell you that Serena will be playing a Runaway Bride in that so if you think that sounds interesting then pray that this will be done soon. ^^''

Thank you once again to all of you and I shall see you all at dawn.

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Every mortal has a chance to die,
but not every mortal has the chance to fall and learn to walk again.

After all, the greatest risk is not taking one.
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