(Note: Riho will be replaced with my own character, Hiromi Takabe, because
I don't really like Riho's totally innocent maiden attitude. Hiro is a
little bit more real. Also I often switch character prospective from Hiromi
to Shido: three stars indicate this)
Disclaimer: I do not own any nightwalker related characters or material. Hiromi however is mine. If you would like to use her, please ask my permission in your reviews.
Finding only islands of sleep that night, the teen rolled out of her cot at noon, beaten. Sighing he stood, an over-sized shirt of his father's falling to mid-thigh.
"Breakfast," the teen croaked, smacking his mouth. Cotton candy mouth, mother had always called it. shoving the memory from his mind, the teen made a hurried meal of toast and coffee. Looking outside, he saw that the sky was an angry shade of dark gray. Perfect for his mood. Not wanting to spend anymore time at home than necessary, his memories being too painful, the teen dressed quickly in sneakers, jeans, another bulky sweatshirt, and the same cap, pulled low over his face. After donning a pair of sunglasses, and slipping a small knife into his pocket, he stepped out into the rain.
Walking always seemed to calm the teen, and he let his mind wander, as his body fell into the old routine. When he looked up, he saw that he was back at the crime scene from last night, yellow police tape making a barrier ten feet from the actual site. The teen glanced around; no one was watching over it. on a whim the teen ducked under the tape, and walked over to the bloodstain that still painted the sidewalk. It looked like some kind of savage animal had attacked the victim. A very large animal.
"I thought you'd come back," a voice from behind spoke. The teen whirled around his knife clutched in his hand. The man from last night, Shido, stood by a streetlamp ten feet away. "But still, its very strange behavior for a Breed."
The teen said nothing, studying the man. He was dressed as before, with the addition of a top hat, sunglasses, and gloves.
"Why don't you answer? It doesn't look like the Breed's consumed you totally," the man continued gesturing upwards, " Otherwise, you'd be more photosensitive than I am."
"Maybe he's dumb, Shido," a small voice piped up. "You know, he cant speak?" a tiny green face popped up from Shido's hair, studying the teen with red eyes.
This was too weird. Standing slowly, the teen faced the man, and the.whatever it was, and shot off to the left, heading for a dark ally that he knew opened into a crowded street. Hearing no one behind, however, the teen slowed after reaching the shade. Glancing behind him the teen walked straight into someone.
Gasping, the teen turned to look straight up into the face of the man. The teen tried to run back the way he came, but the man grabbed his arms, pinning them against his sides.
No! He wouldn't let this happen again! Going limp in the man's grip the teen slumped.
"What happened Shido? Did the Breed abandon him?"
"No, I think he just fainted."
As Shido turned him around, the teen's fist connected solidly with his jaw. His captor only blinked, "not a bad punch, for someone so young."
Surprised, the teen froze, "just let me go," he whispered, tears leaking from his eyes.
"Answer some questions first," Shido replied, still calm. "What's your name?"
"Takabe Hiro."
"No, its not."
"Wha--?" the teen was dumbfounded.
"No games," Shido warned, tightening his grip slightly. "I want your real name."
"How did you know?"
"I can smell blood on you."
"Blood?" Hiro asked innocently, blushing in spite of herself. Damn periods!
"Yes blood. Now, your real name is.?"
"Is Takabe Hiromi," she whispered.
"Why do you call yourself Hiro?"
"It was a nickname in my family."
"And you gave it as your personal name because.?"
Hiromi stayed silent, refusing to look Shido in the eye, feeling tears streaking her cheeks.
"I see," Shido said quietly, "the same reason you dress like a boy. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, Hiromi snapped, finally facing the man, " I don't need yours or anyone else's sympathy!"
"Alright," Shido said, realizing his hold on her, but still blocking her escape route, "why were you here last night, and why did you come back today?"
"I.I was walking and saw the lights last night, and then I saw the body. it looked like my parents did.I didn't mean to come back today, but once I was here, I felt like I needed to get a closer look."
"Why?"
"I don't know! For curiosity's sake? Because I'm morbid? Take your pick!"
"Okay, okay!" Shido said trying to calm the girl down.
"Would you like to know my life's story?"
"That wont be necessary," Shido replied, cracking a smile, "I'm convinced you're not a Breed." And with that the man turned to go.
"Wait," Hiromi called, watching the man stop. " I'd like to ask you some questions, myself. Will you answer them?"
"If I can," Shido said turning to look at her with those green-blue eyes of his.
"Alright, what is a Breed?"
"A type of night demon that posses a dead or weak human body, to feed off human flesh."
"The host's?"
"No the Breed uses the host to feed off other humans."
Hiromi felt herself pale at this, "Ew. Alright, what's that?" she asked, pointing to the green face still poking out of Shido's hair.
"I am an Urban Fairy, you twit!" the face replied, coming totally out of Shido's hair for the first time, "My name's Guni, and you better treat me with a little more respect, or I'll curse your ass!"
Hiromi couldn't resist, "I don't believe in fairies."
Guni puffed out her little green body and snapped her matching bat wings. "What? I'm supposed to drop dead from that line?"
"It's a thought.."
"What!? How dare you, you little."
"I wouldn't talk, if I were you."
Squeaking in fury, Guni retreated to Shido's shoulder, where she sat cross- legged, muttering.
"Any more questions?" Shido asked, trying not to let Guni see his smile.
"Two more; why are you photosensitive?"
"I have been since I can remember," Shido said, a trace of melancholy in his voice.
"But why?"
"That is a secret I'll keep."
"Fine then," Hiromi said, frustrated, "a Breed killed that person last night?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Good!?" Guni squeaked.
"Now I know how my parents died."
"You have my condolences. I would see you home, but the rain is clearing up, and I must get back before the sun comes out."
"Its alright."
Bowing slightly, Shido walked away, with Guni still sitting on his shoulder. After a moment, Hiromi walked out of the ally and followed Shido's fading form.
***
Opening the door to his office, Shido shed his gloves, coat, and sunglasses. Putting the top hat on his desk, Shido sat down and stretched, laying his arms behind his head.
"So if she's not the Breed, who is?" Guni asked, sitting on his hat.
"Good question. Personally I haven't the foggiest.. it's strange though.. I sensed something about her last night, and today, it seemed to increase with her fear and anger."
Guni smiled wickedly, "I think the big, bad, Breed hunting, vampire has a crush!"
"Oh, give me a break, Guni! She can't be more than fifteen or sixteen, and she's already been traumatized in more ways than one."
"Gosh, can't Mr. Cranky Pants take a joke?"
Sighing, Shido closed his eyes, "I'm sorry Guni, and I'm just tiered."
"Why?" came a voice as the door opened, "I'm the one who stayed up half the night trying to explain to my superiors why I let a civilian onto a murder scene.
Yayoi, dressed in her usual jeans and jacket walked in, looking exhausted, and holding a cup of Starbucks coffee.
"Espresso," she continued, flopping down next to Shido, "has become my new best friend."
"Are you going to be alright for tonight?" Shido asked eyes still closed.
"Hey, whatever you dish out, I can take," the NOS officer replied, "though I wish we could just sleep tonight."
"Sorry, we got extra work."
Yayoi groaned over her cup, " That boy you told me about wasn't the Breed?"
"Girl."
"Girl?"
"Yep," Guni announced floating over, "our he's a she."
"And she isn't a Breed?" Yayoi asked, not really caring anymore.
"Nope, its not possible."
"So," Yayoi asked again, returning to her coffee cup, "Where does that leave us?"
Vampire and fairy, stayed silent.
Disclaimer: I do not own any nightwalker related characters or material. Hiromi however is mine. If you would like to use her, please ask my permission in your reviews.
Finding only islands of sleep that night, the teen rolled out of her cot at noon, beaten. Sighing he stood, an over-sized shirt of his father's falling to mid-thigh.
"Breakfast," the teen croaked, smacking his mouth. Cotton candy mouth, mother had always called it. shoving the memory from his mind, the teen made a hurried meal of toast and coffee. Looking outside, he saw that the sky was an angry shade of dark gray. Perfect for his mood. Not wanting to spend anymore time at home than necessary, his memories being too painful, the teen dressed quickly in sneakers, jeans, another bulky sweatshirt, and the same cap, pulled low over his face. After donning a pair of sunglasses, and slipping a small knife into his pocket, he stepped out into the rain.
Walking always seemed to calm the teen, and he let his mind wander, as his body fell into the old routine. When he looked up, he saw that he was back at the crime scene from last night, yellow police tape making a barrier ten feet from the actual site. The teen glanced around; no one was watching over it. on a whim the teen ducked under the tape, and walked over to the bloodstain that still painted the sidewalk. It looked like some kind of savage animal had attacked the victim. A very large animal.
"I thought you'd come back," a voice from behind spoke. The teen whirled around his knife clutched in his hand. The man from last night, Shido, stood by a streetlamp ten feet away. "But still, its very strange behavior for a Breed."
The teen said nothing, studying the man. He was dressed as before, with the addition of a top hat, sunglasses, and gloves.
"Why don't you answer? It doesn't look like the Breed's consumed you totally," the man continued gesturing upwards, " Otherwise, you'd be more photosensitive than I am."
"Maybe he's dumb, Shido," a small voice piped up. "You know, he cant speak?" a tiny green face popped up from Shido's hair, studying the teen with red eyes.
This was too weird. Standing slowly, the teen faced the man, and the.whatever it was, and shot off to the left, heading for a dark ally that he knew opened into a crowded street. Hearing no one behind, however, the teen slowed after reaching the shade. Glancing behind him the teen walked straight into someone.
Gasping, the teen turned to look straight up into the face of the man. The teen tried to run back the way he came, but the man grabbed his arms, pinning them against his sides.
No! He wouldn't let this happen again! Going limp in the man's grip the teen slumped.
"What happened Shido? Did the Breed abandon him?"
"No, I think he just fainted."
As Shido turned him around, the teen's fist connected solidly with his jaw. His captor only blinked, "not a bad punch, for someone so young."
Surprised, the teen froze, "just let me go," he whispered, tears leaking from his eyes.
"Answer some questions first," Shido replied, still calm. "What's your name?"
"Takabe Hiro."
"No, its not."
"Wha--?" the teen was dumbfounded.
"No games," Shido warned, tightening his grip slightly. "I want your real name."
"How did you know?"
"I can smell blood on you."
"Blood?" Hiro asked innocently, blushing in spite of herself. Damn periods!
"Yes blood. Now, your real name is.?"
"Is Takabe Hiromi," she whispered.
"Why do you call yourself Hiro?"
"It was a nickname in my family."
"And you gave it as your personal name because.?"
Hiromi stayed silent, refusing to look Shido in the eye, feeling tears streaking her cheeks.
"I see," Shido said quietly, "the same reason you dress like a boy. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, Hiromi snapped, finally facing the man, " I don't need yours or anyone else's sympathy!"
"Alright," Shido said, realizing his hold on her, but still blocking her escape route, "why were you here last night, and why did you come back today?"
"I.I was walking and saw the lights last night, and then I saw the body. it looked like my parents did.I didn't mean to come back today, but once I was here, I felt like I needed to get a closer look."
"Why?"
"I don't know! For curiosity's sake? Because I'm morbid? Take your pick!"
"Okay, okay!" Shido said trying to calm the girl down.
"Would you like to know my life's story?"
"That wont be necessary," Shido replied, cracking a smile, "I'm convinced you're not a Breed." And with that the man turned to go.
"Wait," Hiromi called, watching the man stop. " I'd like to ask you some questions, myself. Will you answer them?"
"If I can," Shido said turning to look at her with those green-blue eyes of his.
"Alright, what is a Breed?"
"A type of night demon that posses a dead or weak human body, to feed off human flesh."
"The host's?"
"No the Breed uses the host to feed off other humans."
Hiromi felt herself pale at this, "Ew. Alright, what's that?" she asked, pointing to the green face still poking out of Shido's hair.
"I am an Urban Fairy, you twit!" the face replied, coming totally out of Shido's hair for the first time, "My name's Guni, and you better treat me with a little more respect, or I'll curse your ass!"
Hiromi couldn't resist, "I don't believe in fairies."
Guni puffed out her little green body and snapped her matching bat wings. "What? I'm supposed to drop dead from that line?"
"It's a thought.."
"What!? How dare you, you little."
"I wouldn't talk, if I were you."
Squeaking in fury, Guni retreated to Shido's shoulder, where she sat cross- legged, muttering.
"Any more questions?" Shido asked, trying not to let Guni see his smile.
"Two more; why are you photosensitive?"
"I have been since I can remember," Shido said, a trace of melancholy in his voice.
"But why?"
"That is a secret I'll keep."
"Fine then," Hiromi said, frustrated, "a Breed killed that person last night?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Good!?" Guni squeaked.
"Now I know how my parents died."
"You have my condolences. I would see you home, but the rain is clearing up, and I must get back before the sun comes out."
"Its alright."
Bowing slightly, Shido walked away, with Guni still sitting on his shoulder. After a moment, Hiromi walked out of the ally and followed Shido's fading form.
***
Opening the door to his office, Shido shed his gloves, coat, and sunglasses. Putting the top hat on his desk, Shido sat down and stretched, laying his arms behind his head.
"So if she's not the Breed, who is?" Guni asked, sitting on his hat.
"Good question. Personally I haven't the foggiest.. it's strange though.. I sensed something about her last night, and today, it seemed to increase with her fear and anger."
Guni smiled wickedly, "I think the big, bad, Breed hunting, vampire has a crush!"
"Oh, give me a break, Guni! She can't be more than fifteen or sixteen, and she's already been traumatized in more ways than one."
"Gosh, can't Mr. Cranky Pants take a joke?"
Sighing, Shido closed his eyes, "I'm sorry Guni, and I'm just tiered."
"Why?" came a voice as the door opened, "I'm the one who stayed up half the night trying to explain to my superiors why I let a civilian onto a murder scene.
Yayoi, dressed in her usual jeans and jacket walked in, looking exhausted, and holding a cup of Starbucks coffee.
"Espresso," she continued, flopping down next to Shido, "has become my new best friend."
"Are you going to be alright for tonight?" Shido asked eyes still closed.
"Hey, whatever you dish out, I can take," the NOS officer replied, "though I wish we could just sleep tonight."
"Sorry, we got extra work."
Yayoi groaned over her cup, " That boy you told me about wasn't the Breed?"
"Girl."
"Girl?"
"Yep," Guni announced floating over, "our he's a she."
"And she isn't a Breed?" Yayoi asked, not really caring anymore.
"Nope, its not possible."
"So," Yayoi asked again, returning to her coffee cup, "Where does that leave us?"
Vampire and fairy, stayed silent.