Title:The blood of the forbidden

A/N: Thanks to all of the reviewers and especially my beta Royal blueKitsune.

Chapter 2: Hunted

Red…the color of the precious life liquid as it leaves its protective carnal vessel. Red…the color of the liquid of life that calls out to both vampire and werewolf, seducing them, ensnaring them, taunting them with a sweet promise of satisfaction and dark pleasure.

Red is the blood in their veins that reminds them of what they truly are, it calls to vampire and werewolf who lust after the power given by the Gods and cursed by the immortals, it marks them and seals their fate and it will always let them know that they are…

Hunted…

The house was completely empty, not a sign of those they've come to capture. Shougo Amakusa had always been blessed with patience, but at the moment he was furious. He wanted to get this job over with as soon as possible. He wasn't particularly happy about having to bring back the three hybrids alive, when in his opinion they would be better off killed.

Like most pureblooded vampires he held clear distaste for everything that held even a hint of werewolf blood in them. He was proud of his vampire heritage and he was one of the few of his kind that still believed and followed the old ways, while the younger ones slowly adapted themselves to the human ways.

The thought sickened him; vampires were the superior race; they were above werewolves and certainly above humans who were nothing more than cattle to them. Yet as the centuries passed, the numbers of pureblooded ones of his kind dwindled. The fledglings were increasing in numbers, while some vampires went as far as to mate with humans. This of course, was even worse than mating with a werewolf in his opinion.

How could someone mate with what was considered his food?

He mentally shook his head and tried to banish those imprudent thoughts. Yet still he couldn't stop himself from aching for the old days, the days when they ruled and were considered Gods by the humans who were their slaves. He was brought out of his musings by Enishi's angry voice. He raised his emerald eyes to land on the younger vampire, who looked ready to pummel someone, more specifically Sanosuke by the looks of it.

"Sanosuke, where are they?" Enishi asked angrily baring his fangs at the much taller vampire, who materialized next to him.

Sanosuke pursed his lips as his chocolate brown eyes gazed around. He could detect some residue of the hybrids' auras; they had been here a short while ago, but they were gone now. It confused him for he was the whole time outside and he hadn't seen anyone leave the house.

"There's no one here." He said scratching his head, a look of pure confusion on his boyish face.

"How acute of you, Sagara." Shougo said dryly.

He still didn't understand why Battousai kept up with Sanosuke. He was too immature, not serious enough in his opinion and unbelievably he was compassionate, something that the older vampire found absolutely ridiculous and unfavorable. Showing mercy to others was a weakness, a weakness that your enemy could exploit.

"Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean Shougo!" Sanosuke yelled, clearly angered by the last statement.

Clenching his fists at his side he glared at the vampire, who completely ignored him, preferring to gaze at some of the pictures that were hanging from the walls. Sanosuke felt his temper flare by the plain dismissal of his comrade. There was one thing he hated and that was being called an idiot, something that Shougo always did.

"It means you're a moron." Enishi answered calmly, making Sanosuke glare at him.

Jineh, who had been silent the whole time, ignored them as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The whole house still smelled of them, their enticing scents engulfing him. They had such tantalizing scents, so womanly and so seductive. There were three different scents in the house, but the one that was the strongest was jasmine. It was clean and crisp; emanating such purity that it made his mouth water as he imagined all the things he would do to the owner of the alluring fragrance if only he got his hands on her.

"How did they manage to escape without us noticing?" Sano asked knocking him out of his not so innocent thoughts.

"They're smarter and a lot better at stealth than we had anticipated." Enishi said calmly, sheathing his sword.

He couldn't pick up even a trace of them. There wasn't a clue whatsoever where they went and it made him wonder if maybe they knew magic. That was the most logic explanation at the moment that could explain their perfect disappearance. He had tried to detect traces of their aura, hoping to be led to them or at least give him a hint of their whereabouts, but the traces were too faint, helping him in absolutely nothing.

"So who's going to tell old Red about them escaping?" Sano asked looking around, only to find three sets of eyes staring at him.

"Huh…no way. He'll have my head!" Sanosuke cried waving his hand around frantically like a crazy chicken.

"Such a pity." Enishi drawled out sarcastically as he turned around and made his way to the door.

"Hey what do you mean you white haired freak?" Sano followed him, wanting nothing more than to knock some sense into him.

Enishi ignored him and reached for the door, but stopped in his tracks as a click sound was heard.

"What…"

He had no time to say anything as the whole house exploded.

From on top of a hill, they watched in satisfaction as the house exploded in a million pieces. Kaoru was glad that she had decided to install those explosives. She knew that they wouldn't kill the vampires, but it would injure them and hold them back for the moment, giving them enough time to get away.

"Let's go." Kaoru said turning around and starting the motorcycle, not even a trace of remorse on her face.

"Where are we going now?" Misao asked softly as she secured the backpack.

"To the haven." The eldest Kamiya answered softly making her way to her motorcycle, normally she would have used her wolf form to travel, but at the moment they were in a hurry and needed a faster and less conspicuous form of transportation.

As she mounted the bike, she realized that ironically she had grown accustomed to her way of life. It was intriguing how a prey when hunted many times, becomes used to the dangerous and yet cruelly exciting game of cat and mouse with her predator. Every predator has its own style of playing the deadly sport, but all have the same goal…capture and most of times kill.

As she put her helmet on and began riding away, she wondered why they couldn't just be left alone for once. As she looked at her wrist where she could feel her pulse, she understood it was due to the blood that ran in her veins, the forbidden blood and yet at the same time the craved blood. She bit her lower lip in anger, biting through the soft flesh and tasting her own blood. And she was once again reminded that the same blood that she tasted marked her and sealed her destiny: to be hunted by some and possessed by others. Never to be free.

And it was in that moment she came to comprehension that they will not stop hunting them not now… not ever. Not as long as they were alive and the war was going on.

He had never allowed failure and he despised incompetence, two words that fitted the one kneeled in front of him, trembling in fear of the repercussions the werewolf Lord could inflict.

Shishio Makoto, one of the strongest werewolf Lords to ever exist wasn't known for his mercy. Many had fallen by his blade and claws and many would still fall.

His crimson eyes stared at the terrified fool kneeling in front of him; the scent of his fear permeated the air around him, making him wonder why he would have ever chosen such a fearful maggot as one of the hunters in his pack. He had failed one measly assignment and had lost all of his men too; he was the only one that managed to come out of it alive. Still he had strong suspicion that he had probably run away from the fight. The werewolf resisted the urge to growl at the cowardice fool.

He smirked wryly though as he recalled how one hybrid had been able to take down a whole hunting pack. A hunting pack that had taken years to train and get them to what he considered good enough to belong to his pack and still she, a frail female hybrid, had taken all of them out with ease.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" he asked in a deep voice, which echoed through the silent room.

"My Lord…forgive me, but the hybrid she was stronger than we had anticipated. She…she took down my men with ease. We tried…to stop her, but…" Shishio growled loudly, effectively silencing the trembling man.

"Tell me why is it then that even though you fought her that you don't sustain any injuries whatsoever. Am I to presume that you abandoned your men?" He asked in a clipped voice, his crimson eyes grew a shade lighter as his anger mounted.

By the change in the werewolf's scent, the werewolf Lord was confirmed right in his assumptions. In the blink of an eye, the Lord's clawed hand had wrapped around the wolf's neck and with a strength belying his small frame, broke his neck.

Shishio watched satisfied as a pool of blood gathered around the dead body, satisfaction radiating from his whole being; he would not have cowards in his pack.

His gaze settled on the pool of red liquid on the ground. There had always been something about blood that mesmerized him. He wasn't sure if it was the scent, the taste, the color or the thought that the precious looking liquid was what enticed both werewolf and vampire into bloodlust.

Even though werewolves weren't dependent of the blood as first food source, just like vampires they had developed a taste for it. Blood always brought out the most primal urges of both species; it was like an addicting elixir, calling out to them with its promise of dark, sinful and sweet fulfillment.

He gaze shifted and landed on the captain of the new hunting pack who had been quietly waiting in the shadows. The werewolf instinctively lowered his head, as did the rest of the pack behind him.

"Let this be a lesson to all of you. I will not tolerate failure or cowardice from any member of my pack." He said sternly.

The werewolves around him bowed their heads even more, acknowledging his words. Shishio had been ruling his clan for over seven centuries already and there still hadn't been anyone to take him down. Many had tried to challenge him for the position of head of the clan, but all of those foolish enough had been quickly dealt with.

A familiar aura flared at the edge of his consciousness as crimson eyes met the blue ones of his brother standing in the back of the room. Shishio let a small smirk grace his lips; the younger wolf had always been somewhat of a master of stealth.

The werewolf Lord had to admit his surprise at the sudden visit of his sibling. Usually his brother was abroad dealing with meetings concerning some clan business…

"Leave." He muttered dismissing the hunting pack members who quickly scurried out of the room, leaving only him and his brother behind.

He would call upon them again, when he decided his next plan of action and for now he would just send some scouts out to observe the hybrids. He had underestimated them and begrudgingly he had to admit that it had been a very weighty error on his part. One that he didn't presume to repeat.

"What are you doing back so soon, Soujiro?" He asked walking back to his desk and sitting down.

The dead body on the floor was ignored. The maids would come soon to clean up the mess; in the meantime he had more important issues to take care of. Crimson eyes narrowed in distaste as he stared at the pile of papers on his desk. There were still so many papers and treaty to look through and many of them needed his approval.

Picking one of the papers, he scoffed as he thought about the movies that those humans were so fond off, which give them the impression that werewolves were nothing more than animals that lived in the fantasy of some depraved lunatic. If only they knew how complex their society really was and how real they really were.

Their numbers were declining and the cooperation and alliance of each clan was needed to keep the species from becoming extinct.

The vampires on the other hand were growing in numbers and were threatening to overthrow them.

However what bothered the werewolf Lord the most was how utterly imprudent the vampires were when feeding on humans. The vampires didn't care to cover their marks on their victims, especially the fledglings, unlike the werewolves who left no evidence at all, not even a body.

The humans were stupid yes, but they wouldn't be for much longer if they kept finding bodies drained of blood and with puncture wounds on them. Sooner or later one of those pitiful mortals would find out the truth and then things would get really complicated.

Humans were oblivious to them, allowing them to live and work between them. He knew very well that if they decided they could overrun the humans, but it was better the way it was for the time being. And besides those mounting dead bodies would only alert the slayers and he definitely didn't need them on his case at the moment.

His thoughts returned to the increasing numbers of fledglings and rogue vampires. The rogue vampires were vampires who didn't belong to a coven. Normally, this would mean certain dead if they were found by the vampires that did belong to a coven, but apparently the vampires couldn't even control their own kind. All of them were becoming a nuisance as their numbers increased. Normally a fledgling wasn't allowed to turn a human, but the rules were being broken and more and more of those parasites were being created, making their food supply diminish drastically.

Less and less humans dared to venture out at night in fear of getting killed, making it hard for them to hunt, seeing that werewolves only hunted at night. Hunting in daylight was quite dangerous because humans could spot them.

Especially in a large city like this.

"The reunion went rapidly." Soujiro answered taking a seat in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk.

Shishio grunted as he continued looking through some papers, while deep in thought. His brows creased as he read over some important news. Once again a large group of werewolves were found killed. The vampires were getting more aggressive; he hated to admit it, but they were losing this battle. Their numbers were decreasing rapidly and if it continued like this, they would soon perish.

Unlike vampires, it was hard to turn a human into a werewolf. The human body had a hard time withstanding the changes therefore the human would die most of the times. Not only that, but the bite of a werewolf was practically poisonous to humans and even vampires. Only the strongest of humans were able to endure the changes, both physically and mentally.

With more and more of the eldest pureblooded werewolves getting killed, the race was slowly dying out and the blood was losing its strength. The offspring that were being born lacked in strength and power, the blood in their veins not as strong as that of their ancestors. And if things continued like this, their race would truly seize to exist.

A growl left his lips; he would be damned before that happened. Things needed to be done rapidly, before it was too late.

"The elders have changed their minds; they want you to capture the hybrids." Soujiro said calmly.

"What?" Shishio asked raising his face to look questioningly at his brother.

Soujiro took out a small black envelope and handed it to the werewolf Lord. He was reassured of the senders as he noticed the red insignia on the envelope, which looked like the head of a howling wolf. Using his claws, he opened the envelope and took out the letter. His crimson eyes quickly traced the written words.

"They want them as allies; they would preferably want you to mate one of them, insuring the alliance. We are loosing this war and we need to find any kind of leverage at this moment." Soujiro said softly as he noticed his brother narrowing his eyes.

"I'm already mated." Shishio cut in, the news or better said the order in the letter didn't sit him very well.

"They know this, but they are apprehensive about you and Yumi. They do not approve of you mating her. They want a strong heir to lead the clan if you die or if something happens to you. They don't believe that a weak offspring will be able to lead the clan, especially not one with human blood. He would be challenged and killed very easily by his own clan members or by members of other clans." Soujiro said calmly; he knew exactly how his brother was going to react.

"I do not care what the elders say, Yumi is my mate and she will birth me my heir. And she's not a human; do not forget that, with her powers she will give me a full-blooded pup." Shishio growled, baring his fangs.

"No, she's not a normal human…but until now every child she has brought to this world has been born dead. Brother, she's not strong enough to give birth to a werewolf cub, you and I both know it and each time she tries she becomes weaker and weaker. The strain is taking a toll on her body."

Soujiro did care about Yumi. The human female was the only female to have ever really cared for his brother, unlike the other females in the past, which had only sought out wealth and prestige by trying to mate the werewolf Lord. Still he was far more realistic than his brother was at the moment. Shishio cared about Yumi and didn't see the harsh reality of things.

Yumi was growing weaker with each time she gave birth and soon enough she would die if it continued like this. Mentally it was also putting a strain on her, which not even himself could fathom what it would be like to give birth each time to a dead child. The pain must be unbearable and sooner or later the human female would snap.

Shishio leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel a headache coming on. A part of him knew that Soujiro was right. It would be quite beneficial to the clan to mate one of the forbidden children; not only would he have a strong mate to stand at his side but he would also have a strong offspring. Two things that would be needed and very advantageous if the war came to a close and they needed to fight. Yet he didn't want to betray Yumi.

"Have the elders always thought this or has it anything to do with Battousai going after the forbidden children?" Shishio asked leaning forward and crossing his arms over his chest and leveling Soujiro a cold stare.

Soujiro wasn't surprised that his brother knew about the Battousai's interest in the forbidden children. His brother had scouts all over the city and could find out just about everything he desired. In order to stay alive you not only needed to be strong, but you needed to be informed very well about your enemies, deducing you opponent's next move was always essential.

He gave Shishio one of his soft smiles, making him narrow his eyes. He hated the way his brother could smile like that; it was too eerie for words. You never knew what he was thinking.

"They're troubled by this recent development." The younger werewolf answered calmly, with the same smile plastered on his face.

"Hn, I see. And yet they do not do anything to help."

"Have they ever?" Soujiro asked standing up.

Shishio raised crimson eyes to gaze at his brother who calmly stared back. He shot Soujiro a look that clearly stated where the younger werewolf was going, making him smile.

"You honestly think that I would stay in on such a beautiful night?" The blue-eyed male asked with amusement clearly in his voice.

"What are you up to?" Shishio asked clearly not believing his brother; he knew very well that Soujiro loved to stir trouble.

Shishio's eyes flew to the full moon, visible through the large window. On such a night like this it would be just the perfect opportunity to unleash his true form. Soujiro's blue eyes seemed almost violet in the dim light.

"You'd better not screw anything up, little brother." He said baring his fangs.

Even though Soujiro was his brother, he never let his guard down around him. He was his greatest ally and his greatest enemy after all.

"You know me too well, but I'll tell you when I get back." He said grinning, before turning around and walking out of the room, leaving a very confused werewolf Lord, who hoped that the younger male wouldn't get into much trouble… at least for tonight.

Shishio looked up as he picked up a very familiar scent.

"Yumi." He couldn't stop himself from whispering her name.

Her soft footsteps echoed on the marble floors, as his mate stepped into the room. She looked paler and thinner. Her long auburn hair was in disarray, while her eyes had dark circles under them. For once he realized how true Soujiro's words were. Yumi was slowly getting weaker in front of his eyes.

His crimson eyes met her wine colored ones and he could see the pain in them. They shone with unshed tears, confirming that she heard what had been discussed. Taking a deep sigh, he turned his chair around, facing away from her. She would have found out one way or another.

He didn't turn to gaze at her, even when he heard her run out of the room. Even though he wanted to go against the elders' orders, he couldn't. The survival of their species was at stake and personal issues needed to be set aside.

Battoussai was furious. He couldn't believe that they had escaped. His golden eyes bled red and he had to restrain himself not to wring their necks. Aoshi, who had been the one to inform him of the group's failure, was watching him stoically from his position leaning against the wall.

The forbidden children weren't supposed to escape.

Aoshi wasn't surprised though. The plan had been perfect but a plan that involved the rooster head was bound to fail. It was in Sanosuke's nature…

Fortunately he had another plan, one that would hopefully work and appease Battousai. He didn't understand his Lord's obsession with the hybrids, but he wasn't about to question him either. He was a soldier and he only followed orders.

"My Lord." He said calmly, making the vampire Lord turn to gaze at him.

"I might have a way to trap them." By now it was clear that he held Battousai's attention.

"I know where they're going next." He continued.

"Tell me more." Battousai said eagerly, making Aoshi nod his head.

The red haired vampire was relieved and secretly glad that Aoshi had another plan. He couldn't afford failure right now and letting the hybrids escape wasn't an option either. He needed to capture her…now. He would not be denied; she would be his sooner or later.

"Thank you." Kaoru said softly as the waitress handed her a cup of coffee.

They still had a long way to go, before they reached the haven, so she decided that they could rest for a bit. They were fortunate to find this diner still open. It was late and they were all tired.

"Where are we going now?" Kumiko asked softly breaking the silence that had settled between them.

"We're going to the Haven. Okina will gladly take us in." Kaoru said softly as she took a sip from the hot liquid.

"What she means is where do we go from there. We don't have a home anymore and it's clear that we can't stay here. I mean an attack from both werewolves and vampires in one night…it's clear that we're screwed. " Misao spoke bluntly, taking a bite from the bagel.

She winced at the old taste; well she could have expected that. No way, was she going to get a fresh baked bagel at this hour. She scrunched her nose and laid the foul tasting food on the plate.

"I'm not sure." Kaoru answered truthfully, lowering the cup down and gazing at Misao.

"Just fucking great." Misao growled as she stood up and walked to the restroom.

"Hn. There isn't much we can do right now. We should just try to stay alive, even if it means running away each time." Kumiko said softly as she watched Kaoru frown at Misao's words.

Kaoru sighed as she turned her face to gaze outside. She felt sometimes so worthless. She had promised to care for her sisters and yet tonight they had almost been captured if it hadn't been for those wards, she would have never realized that they had 'visitors'. It made her question herself if she was truly the best guardian for her sisters.

"I guess you're right, but I wonder just how long we will be able to run away and escape before they capture us." Kaoru whispered, without looking at her little sister.

Both of the Kamiyas stayed quiet, neither having an answer. It was clear that things were getting even more complicated.

"I'm coming." Okina yelled as he made his way to the door as the loud banging on the door continued.

He wondered who could be at the door at this hour. His brown eyes gleamed in the darkness as the vampire made his way to the door, walking calmly through the chapel. It was ironic how a vampire like him would seek solace in the house of God, but this was his home and it kept him safe from the war that was going on. Unlike other vampires he didn't want anything to do with the stupid war.

That hadn't been the case at first, when he had first been turned into a vampire. He had fought hard against the werewolves. What made him stop was the fact that he lost so many that he cared for in the futile war. So he laid down his weapon and retreated into hiding. Many would consider him a coward, but he didn't care. He just wanted to be left alone and live a peaceful life with his adopted grandson.

"Who's at the door Okina?" He turned to gaze at a dark haired boy standing in the doorway.

"Go back to bed Yahiko." He muttered, softly as he watched the human boy yawn and rub his eyes.

He sighed and shook his head as he watched the stubborn boy ignore his order and stand where he was. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he slowly unlocked the door and opened it.

Yet he never expected to see the person who was at the door. His eyes widened as he gazed at the tall familiar form in front of him.

"Aoshi."

TBC…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………