Disclaimer: I don't own Nightwalker, but I do own Kitani, Hex, and Sakashima. (Man this is starting to sound like a broken record)
Authoress Note: Hello!!! Tank ew for all the reviews!! I'm so glad you like it. I've been real busy with school and crap so yeah I haven;t had much time to type. I hope to update soon! R&R PLEASE!!!!
The sky was growing paler and paler in Shido's eyes as he closed up the blinds. Though to normal people it was still night, he could see the light of the sun far before it reached the horizon. He sank back down into his chair listening to the silence. The throbbing of his head rang, the silence almost deafening. The card seemed to weigh heavily in his pocket. He didn't dare look at it. But why? Why not? There wasn't any harm in looking right?
A growl escaped him as he stomped over to the sink and turned on the water. There had to be something to drown out this silence! It was maddening! He was shocked as he gripped the faucet with crushing force and his chest heaved in frustration. He raised and unneeded hand to his temples. That was one of the many human gestures that he'd kept through the years. Plopping down into the chair he nearly threw his feet up onto his desk. Staring at the far wall, Shido fell into a strange silence.
They all looked so content to be with him. The fatherly glow on his former master and lover's white face seemed more unnatural than the double who accused him of a horrible crime.
He stared down at the crisp white card. He didn't know that address. He would have expected it to be in the fancier part of town but according to this, it was on the opposite end. He studied the clear and almost majestic strokes of the red cursive. Flipping it over, there was a message on the back. "We will most likely be out when you arrive. If the door is unlocked, make yourself at home, we won't be long." That too was written in Cain's unmistakable cursive.
He sighed heavily, finishing the note to Riho and Yayoi and taped it to the door. Throwing on his blue-black trench coat and strode out into the early evening. Wandering through the back streets was normal for him and probably the safest. He didn't like crowds so, as with all nightwalkers, it's best you not be seen.
His throat was tight and the burning flame of bloodlust was starting to arise again. The slight pink coloring retained during feeding was fading to the luminous pastel white of his kind. He came to the door of one of the notorious back street bars. He knew this one, they would give him something.
Passing through the door, her bowed his head and tipped down the rim of his top hat to hide his face. He spotted a coat rack on the wall and all the suspicious people around him and decided to show them. Using mind blowing speed, he appeared by the rack and slipped the coat off to reveal his slender white shoulders, shaking out his lavender locks. It was almost summer time, so he'd chosen a simple brown button up vest and black slacks. He scanned the room and as his glance passed over them, many of the onlookers tore their eyes from him.
Unfazed, he walked over to the bar and sat between two businessmen on one of the high stools. Putting his elbows heavily on the counter, the bartender came over.
"Oh Shido, my friend, I haven't seen you in a while. What would you like?" his voice was kindly with a slight Italian accent.
Merely raising his hand at him he mumbled. "The normal, I need it . . ." He paused to give him a fanged smile. "I need it badly." The Italian wasn't bothered with the vampire's display, he'd seen it before. Walking into the back room, Shido nearly leaped over the counter as the man slashed himself with a kitchen knife and filled a mug to the brim.
When he came back out and set the glass on the bar, the businessmen seemed to have some urgent matter to attend to, followed by almost everyone in the small room. Shido sipped greedily at the mug and in moments he sighed deeply and lay his head, dazed, on the counter.
"Ah, that was wonderful, I feel like I could fly right off the seat." He said with a smile to the bartender who returned it.
"So Shido, what are you doing in a place like this so early, so usually come in much later. Do you have some urgent case?" The plump man chuckled at his own joke then pulled up a stool beside the detective.
"No," Shido pulled out the card and handed it to him, "Do you know where this is?" The Italian studied it for a while then replied.
"I know the relative area but I this apartment building was supposed to be condemned. If you flow this street turn a Hangman's Court and I think it's a few blocks down. It's a big brick building, the only one there. You'll have no problem finding it." Nearly dragging himself to his feet, he put the card back into his pocket, slipped on his coat and hat and made his way to the door.
"Are you sure you're doing the right thing?" asked a soft, almost raspy voice. Shido turned to see a man sitting at a table in the far corner. His head was hung low and his shoulder hunched over an empty mug.
When there wasn't a reply, he continued. "Don't go to her," his voice was straining to pick up volume. "You cannot go to her. She's doesn't deserve what she has." He looked up at the detective and grinned. "She's different from everyone. From me, from you, even from the unknown child on the street." Shido stood, confused.
"What do you mean?" he was shocked at how soft his voice was. Like if he spoke louder that the world might shatter like glass. Or was he just afraid of the answer?
"She's evil!" In an instant the crazed man had a hold of the detective's collar and was glaring with cold black eyes. "You must stay away from her. She's a waste of space." His fearful expression grew hideously malice as a wide grin spread over his lips. "Everyone said she was an angel. That she was some precious being that should be loved. But only I saw her for what she really was. A monster. She's beautiful, that's true. But does beauty decide whether you are an angel?" He staggered back as if he'd been pushed and it took a few moments for him to right himself.
"No," these words escaped Shido's lips before he could stop them. "No, it's the heart that matters, not what's on the outside." The man smiled.
"You're a wise one. Wise far beyond your years. It doesn't matter even if she is an angel," his finger rose and pointed at the ceiling then motioned to the floor, "cause what goes up has got to fall." Another grin stretched over his face. Their stares locked and held there for a very long time.
Then two words passed over his lips. "Slay her." Shido nearly gasped at this harsh suggestion. "She takes human life with no regard to anyone, she's a beast, a heartless fiend that feeds on innocence. You've slain nightbreeds before. She is no different than them, so why such a shocked reaction?" His smile broadened. "Didn't you know that you'd have to kill her sometime? Slay her. Slay her and save thousands, even millions." His head jerked suddenly as he peered out the window, then back at Shido. "I bid you a farewell. I hope you consider my advice." Within moments he was out the door and gone.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, his fingers felt the card. He waved good-bye to the bartender and set out toward the address. It took him a while to get there and all that while, he considered what that man had said. But why did he think so badly of her? Why did he hate her so?
As he stood outside the red brick building, he sighed heavily. There were no lights on when he looked in one of the cracked windows. In fact it didn't seem that anyone had ever lived there. The building itself was overgrown with vines and was cracking and falling apart. He sighed again, a little from relief. They weren't there so he didn't have to see Kitani and if he never saw her again, he wouldn't have to kill her.
"So, you actually came Shido? I welcome you, though Master is not here I am." Spinning around, Hex stood in front of him, his small fangs peeking out from under his pastel white lips. "I welcome you."
Another Authoress Note: Cliffy!!! AGAIN!!! So? What will our beloved detective discover about this foursome of vampires? Who was that man in the bar? Why was he so bent on killing Kitani? Is Hex planning to harm Shido? ::listnes:: And what's with this weird background music! ::goes off to find out:: Buh Bye till next time!!