A/N: Vampire Hunter D belongs to Urban Vision, Streamline Pictures, Hideyuki Kikuchi (Asashi Sonorama), etc. No copyright infringement intended; this fic is merely for the enjoyment of fans. This story is mostly based off the first Vampire Hunter D movie (1985).

Curse of the Count
Evil Overlady

- Epilogue -

D greeted Shadow Fright like an old friend, hugging him close, untangling his mane as the cyber horse nibbled his shoulder affectionately.

Colt wiped his hands off a rag. "Good as new... I have a way with cyber horses as well..."

Stacy looked wistfully at the half vampire and the half horse...

"You're... going with him... Aren't you..."

Stacy finally looked his way.

"Engleberg's a nice place. Nicer now that there are no vampires around," Colt prodded.

Stacy lowered her head. "I know but... I'm not ready to have a home yet... I know you have feelings for me, Colt... And I... have feelings for you too... but my journey isn't completed. D needs me..." She lowered her voice to just below a whisper. "...even more than I realized..." She turned quickly and kissed Colt on the cheek.

He grabbed and held her still, brown eyes burrowing into her own gaze. He touched a finger to her chin and ever so slowly guided her into a passionate kiss.

D watched Stacy and Colt for a while then climbed onto his horse. The Hanochs came out to wish him fare well.

Merula had a bulky bandage on her neck, but she seemed remarkably in otherwise good health. She came over to him and stroked Shadow Fright's neck. "I owe you my life," she said to D. "If ever you have need of me..."

D bent down and cupped her hand in his. "I know just who to ask."

She nodded and stepped aside for her father. "Here are those supplies you asked for..." he said. "Food, water, extra clothing, and copies of our best maps... Are you sure there isn't more we can do for you? Gold? Silver?"

"I have enough." D nodded to him.

The mayor sighed. "Well, then... I guess it's best of luck to you..."

"Your name will live on in the stories we tell to our children," Placidia added. "And our children's children..."

"True immortality..." He met Placidia's gaze. "Make sure your children know that as well..."

"We found the colt and mare after we rescued your friend," the mayor got in. "We've decided to name them D and Stacy." He smiled. "If you don't mind..."

"I am honored." D bowed his head. "Fare you well..."

"Safe journey," Mayor Hanoch returned.

"Let's go, Shadow Fright..."

"Good-bye!" the villagers shouted.

D heard a gasp under the noise then, "D, wait!"

D had gotten to the gates out of earshot of the populace when he stopped.

"I'm coming with you," Stacy stated, slinging her bag onto the back of D's saddle.

D grabbed it. "You'd be safer here."

"Damn right I'd be safer here! Since when was that part of the equation! You need me."

D wouldn't yield. "Colt needs you. This journey is mine alone."

"Wrong. This journey concerns everyone. You're making a difference, D. Can't you see that? There's more going on here than your own personal vendetta."

D guided them outside the gates and far enough away from the town so the watchman couldn't hear them easily. "What are you talking about..."

"Sertius told me about your father."

That caught D's interest. "Where is he?"

Stacy sighed. "He didn't say. D, listen to me. The vampire who killed your mother wasn't working for your father. More likely he was a rogue. Don't you see? You're making this trek for nothing."

"He's a vampire." He turned away.

Stacy pulled him back. "And so are you! ... part of you anyway... Look at Shadow Fright. Does he fault machines or the wild beasts we see on the range for his fallacies? You have to live with who you are!" Tears cloaked her eyes, and she released him. "I have to live with who I am... I wish I didn't have magic, that I could just live like normal people... but I can't, and I have to deal with that. You can't look at yourself as 'cursed by a count.' You just have to learn that it's something you have to contend with for the rest of your life and learn to move on... or else you'll really be alone... even from yourself..."

D thought a moment and lowered his hand.

Stacy looked up, surprised, and took it.

He swung her around to the back and motioned Shadow Fright onward again.

"He would make a good husband," D said after a pause.

"D... I'm not ready to be thinking about husbands and settling down, okay?" Stacy buried her head in his cloak, hiding the blush.

"Life is short," D argued.

"And yours will be shorter if you keep it up..." she growled.

D laughed softly.

Stacy smiled and gave a short chuckle.

They rode off into the rising sun.

- The End -