Vampire Hunter D:

Bloodlust Alternata Heaven's Arrow, Heaven's Blade

Disclaimer: You get the idea... (See previous chapter)

"You sit in the sunlight? Then you must not be changed." Both Charlotte and her guardian moved not an inch, staring at the infamous hunter. "Then why do you stay with him?" Sagittarius was torn between the fact that he was presently the girl's only protector against D, and his admiration for her spirit and courage to face down the world's number one Hunter. "I suppose my father never told you that I'm in love with Meier." What little color in his face he could feel leaving. Before their hasty departure from the valley, he could sense even the Old Man's reluctance to fight D; such was his skill and power. Despite this, a mere human was standing up to him! "He is what he is. He'll take you in time, and when that happens I'll be forced to kill you." Charlotte remained unfazed. "Then kill me. I couldn't bear to live without him. Don't take me from him." Suddenly, Sagittarius sensed another presence off to the side. "Isn't that sweet..."

"I can't help it, Mashira. I'm worried." The lycan fought back a smirk. "Then why don't you tell him how you feel?" Caroline twiddled with a lock of her emerald hair. "You know none of us are getting any younger, Caroline. I've been around Sagittarius to know that he is more like a child than you know. He sorely lacks the confidence age will give him." She gave Mashira a look. "Caroline, it's not a secret that he's fancied you ever since you woke him from his sleep. He only needs you to tell him whether his feelings are retur-..." Charlotte's in danger! HURRY!!

He had been able to distract the other hunter temporarily, sending her into a trance-like state. D, however, was another matter entirely. "Charlotte, RUN!" And run she did, as fast as her bare feet would allow on the smooth marble. To put it bluntly, both combatants' greatest advantage was their mobility, their fight like an elegant waltz of death. There was still no question however, that Sagittarius didn't stand a chance against D one-on-one. The legendary Hunter had countless centuries of experience and skill well beyond that of his own. So far, he had managed to evade or deflect the many strikes that managed to get past his blade. His strength was fast fading, however. He didn't know how long he would be able to maintain the psychic shield he had managed to raise. Back-flipping away from D, he bid a hasty retreat to make sure the human girl stayed safe...

Flashback

Mashira led him to the forbidding black carriage of Meier Link. Psychic or not, he hadn't the slightest idea why the Noble would have any interest in a simpleton, much less himself. The carriage door was open, like a yawning gate to who-knows-what. Not knowing what to expect, he entered, the door closing behind him.

He was surprised be the sight that greeted him: a woman, dressed in a flawless white nightgown and a verdant green traveler's cloak, her eyes closed in a peaceful and happy slumber. He couldn't help but compare her to a white Mourning Rose in bloom. The young woman was resting beside a huge ornate coffin that seemed to glisten in the dim light. Unexpectedly, a dark form, nearly as tall as himself, materialized seemingly out of thin air. Already feeling rather awkward because of the low ceiling, he was decidedly unprepared for the subtle but dramatic entrance of Meier Link.

The Noble eyed him in an almost critical manner as he tried to keep a hold over the nervous lump in his throat. "Are you the Protector of which the Old Man spoke so highly of?" Unprepared for Meier's question, Sagittarius could only nod blankly. Going over to the girl, he gently stroked her long brown hair. "You...you love her, don't you Night Master?" The vampire gave him a sad smile. "Is it so obvious?" he said, his deep voice resonating slightly in the wood of the vehicle. "She is my light, the soul to this bloodthirsty husk." He drew his fingers over her cheek, his cultured nails bare touching the warm silken skin. "You needn't worry, Night Master, I know what you ask. I will protect her with all that I am." He hesitated before asking his next question. "Is a love like yours common?" Meier heaved a long melancholy sigh. "There has not been a union between the Day and the Night for many centuries. They are frowned upon by both." He could feel the Noble's despair as he said this. Sagittarius unexpectedly zoned for a moment, a mysterious but vaguely familiar voice speaking to him. "I remember...someone...telling me...that love cannot be bound...that it links who it wills. For what its worth, I wish the both of you happiness," he said, making to leave. "You are wise beyond your years, Young Archer. Thank you."

End Flashback

The force ball slammed against his shield, knocking him off balance and slamming into an ancient column. 'Shit! The second hunter's back, and I don't think she's happy with me.' Bringing up his blade arm, impeding death in the form of D's sword missed its mark by a hair's breadth as he parried the thrust. Spotting the other hunter sprinting past him, he tried something he hadn't before. He blinked out.

"D, That was a Blink spell! I didn't know there was anyone who could do that anymore!" Quickly, the veteran hunter looked about, seeking any sign of his opponent. Suddenly, a hail of light rained down from above, each missing him by but inches. Rolling behind an ancient urn, D stopped to look around. A rough voice from his left hand distracted his attention. "D, look UP! You CAN'T stay grounded with a foe like this!" Sure enough, he spotted his opponent, his left forearm mutated into a strange long barrel and crackling with power. "I don't like this D. Some of whatever he's packing hasn't been seen since the Change. You have GOT to let LOOSE! He's got as much power as Lee, or don't you remember what it's like to fight a Noble!?!"

'I wish I had that kind of power,' thought Sagittarius as he descended. The 'Blink, Morph, 'N-Shoot' combo had winded him. Sure, he could still fight, but not with a pair of elite vampire hunters after his guts. Especially D. He ran long the top of the colonnade to catch up to Charlotte when he felt two familiar presences. "Nice fireworks, Siggy." "Caroline. Mashira. Good to see you both. The other hunter is still after Charlotte, so I need you two to distract her while I get Charlotte back to the carriage." Nodding, they split up and homed in on their respective targets.

Sagittarius was exhausted when he caught up with Charlotte. The poor girl seemed just as tired as he was. Luckily, the numbers favored her guardians. "Come, Young Archer," said a transformed Mashira from atop the colonnade. "They won't stay down for very long."

As they reached the black vehicle, a thought occurred to Sagittarius. Someone was missing. "Where's Caroline?"

Author's Note: I finally got Meier into the picture. YATTA!! Anyways, this is where things really deviate from the movie. So, what'cha think?

Oh yeah, Siggy's 'Blink' ability is the ability to teleport himself and maybe a passenger a certain distance away (about 15-20 meters w/ just himself). And about those beans of light he shot? Think of Grove with a bit of Vash's Angel Arm to get an idea (Vash is the inspiration behind Sagittarius).