Dual Fates Part 11

Darkness

by

Sailor Janus

       Slowly Hotaru opened her eyes, realizing that she had fallen asleep in Duo's arms. Both were seated on the cool grass, leaning against each other. Drawing a breath, she blinked a few times through clouded vision before vigorously rubbing her face.

      

       A brief minute later, Duo raised his head from her shoulder with a loud yawn. Heavy eye lids cracked open, before closing again. Tightly he squeezed Hotaru, recalling the powerful life they previously relived.

       Accepting the hug, the violet-eyed young woman sighed. "I think we should continue on. We need to."

       Pulling away the gundam pilot nodded, recognizing the pain-tinged voice. "How bad is this one going to be?"

       "It's going to be quite different, I can tell you that."

       Frowning he glanced at Hotaru who had dropped her head to the ground. "What do you mean?"

       Holding out her hands she simply said, "We are enemies. Now let us return and see if we can finally find some answers to this mystery."

       Silently Duo agreed, meeting the young woman's violet gaze, joining his hands with her own. His last thought was, 'What does she mean by enemies?'

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       "Come back here and fight you dishonorable knave!" a loud voice shouted through the forest at the fleeting figure covered by a black cloak with a rage-filled glow in its eyes. Gritting his teeth, the young man charged after the figure, a sword gripped tightly in his grasp, as a leather pouch filled with other useful items swung wildly from the rope wrapped around his waist.

       Regardless of what the Dare shouted at the figure, it continued sprinting through the thick grass when suddenly it spun around, hissing menacingly at the hunter. Vibrant red eyes shone in an eerily light as fangs appeared through parted raw lips, stained with blood. Pointed ears perked up as it charged towards the braided-haired young man, sharp claws spread apart, prepared to rip Dare to shreds.

       Screeching to a halt, Dare realized what was once the hunted, decided to become the hunter. "Just great.... I have no time for this!" he muttered, drawing the sharp silver sword back, watching the creature carefully. Just as the demon was about to pounce on the Dare, he quickly pivoted on his feet, swinging the sword at the same time, and decapitated the creature. Glaring at the headless corpse, the demon hunter sheathed his favorite weapon and headed back for home.

       From the shadows, curious violet eyes peered at the departing young man. Smirking, the strange young woman brushed several locks of raven hair from her eyes. 'Interesting. He actually fought a Rathos demon and lived to tell the tale. I am fascinated to learn of your other abilities and strengths.'  Silently she disappeared in the darkness of the unlit forest.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       Dare half-heartedly unlocked the door to the small house he shared with his friends, Hunter and Wolf. Granted these were not their real names but to be identified as what they once were would mean death.

       "Did you catch the demon this time?" Hunter inquired without glancing up from his sharpening his sword.

       "Barely, the thing tried to take my arm off before giving me the tour of the forest. needless to say, I was not impressed. However, It is not presently, with a head," Dare replied walking to a small box and pulled out some bandages for his wounded hand.

       Wolf continued sketching in his journal their now deceased nemesis. "You should be more careful next time." Smudging the hair on the picture he turned to Dare. "Is this exactly how it looked?"

       Glancing down, young man's cobalt blue eyes darkened. "Yeah, that him alright. Or at least was. I don't see why you guys insist on making a chronicle of every nasty thing we kill. It's not like we will receive any praise after being banished from town."

       "It may however benefit us for future references if we ever do come across another of it's kind. This way, we have accounts on the methods of elimination," the Prussian blue-eyed man evenly said, sheathing his sword.

       "Yeah, well I'm going to get some shut eye since I'm rather tired after my nice jog through the woods." Throwing his long black coat over a chair, Dare retreated into his room.

       Frowning at the closed door, Wolf smoothed back his black ponytail. "He took the banishment worse out of all of us. If only that the Flamt demon had not set that inn on fire, we would not have been accused of murder."

       "We were the only ones within the vicinity. It was not like we could have explained we were fighting a demon," the stoic man said, turning his attention to the leather bound book which he used to record their nightly events.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       Helen quietly crept into her underground sanctuary, concealed by a thick dark violet cloak. Closing the door behind her, she was greeted by a lifeless voice.

       "You are late little sister."

       Glancing up, she noted an older violet-eyed woman was sitting quietly at the table, playing with one of her favorite daggers.  

       Brushing a lock of chin length ebony hair behind her ear, Helen softly said, "I apologize Brenna. I was distracted."

       A dangerous look appeared on Brenna's face as she flipped a strand of mid back length raven hair from her shoulder. "Try not to disobey next time. Raven would not be pleased. Lucky for you, she went out hunting." Flipping the knife in her hand, the woman slightly smirked. "What was so interesting? You are normally never late."

       Helen nodded, removing her velvety cloak. "I witnessed a battle between man and a Rathos demon. It was very intriguing."

       "Does this man have anything to do with the three newcomers to our home?"

       "Perhaps. I sensed a deep sorrow and guilt through him."

       Just then, Raven made her presence known. "Helen! Where have you been? You know not to stay out this late!"

       Both women looked up at the fiery vampire with glowing violet eyes and dark hair that flowed past her waist. It was true, all three possessed violet eyes, dark hair, and were vampires. They spoke of each other as sisters, but none of them were related expect that all were turned by the same powerful vampire before he met his demise. The most interesting fact was that they were the last of their particular breed of magic users. Only those with violet eyes, had the ability to manipulate matter and cast spells.

       "I was intrigued by a demon hunter. I will not be tardy again, Raven," Helen simply said before spinning on her heel. "If you two are finished interrogating me, I would like to get some work done. Excuse me."

       Silently the other two vampires watched the youngest member of their family depart.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       It had been several months since Helen had her first encounter with Dare, yet he did not even know of her existence. Since then, the other two women had their run-ins with the braided-haired man's two best friends. Brenna had simply hid in the shadows, watching Hunter at work before revealing herself. The two exchanged heated glares and little words between them, before attempting to murder one another, but found it futile. Raven however, took a more direct approach, attacking Wolf head on. Both fought a fierce battle but it ended as a draw.

       It was not until a few days that Dare was about to have his first meeting with the young vampire Helen, bringing a full circle to the two halves of opposites. Living and dead. Male and female, eternal enemies.....or so they thought.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       Dare picked up his sword and a crossbow. "Going hunting. I'll be back," he announced, tossing his black coat on over the deep blue shirt he often wore.

       "Be careful out there. Hunter and I have had some difficulties with two female vampires. There may be more of them," Wolf warned his friend.

       With a grin, the young man threw his long chestnut brown braid over his shoulder. "Don't worry about me. I'm practically a professional by now."

       Silently nodding, the black-haired young man, watched Dare leave through the door.

       "Did you alert him?" a deep monotone voice questioned Wolf from the shadows.

       "I did. Whether he will actually follow it, is another story."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       Dare growled, glancing around his surroundings. Not a single demon, vampire, or hellion made its' appearance known to the demon hunter. "Is there a national monster holiday that someone didn't alert me of?" he muttered, with a sigh.

       "No. They are not out at this time. wait, and you'll have more prey than you can imagine," a soft female voice from behind him.

       Spinning around, Dare found himself face to face with a beautiful young woman. Brilliant violet eyes seemed to glow in the moon light as chin length dark hair  delicately framed her pale face. "Hello."       

       "Uh, Hi. What are you doing out this late?"

       "Out for a walk." She simply answered. "Yourself?"

       Feeling slightly sheepish, the young man muttered, "Work. I guess you could say I work the graveyard shift."

       Softly the young woman giggled. "I see. I am called Helen by the way." Her eyes suddenly flickered with a sadness. "I know what you mean I guess you could say. The night sky is much friendlier than the harsh light of the sun. Betrayal happens more often under that light than in the moonlight."

       Dare arched an eyebrow at the young woman who had a mysterious air to her. It almost seemed as though she knew where he was coming from. "Aren't you afraid? I mean, shouldn't you be at home?"

       "Afraid of what? You? This entire world intermingled with life and death, human and demon alike? I only fear those who don't understand and those who refuse to acknowledge what is to be because of their own ignorance."

       "What are you talking about?"

       Abruptly she spun her around, facing her back to him. "You know exactly what I am talking about. Being a demon hunter you can probably sense it. I am unlike anything you have dealt with before."

       Dare's breath caught in his throat. "You're a vampire."

       "Yes. One of the few left who possess powers."

       "You're one of the vampires that have been attacking my friends!"

       "They attacked us. We only defended ourselves. Besides, I have never met your friends" Dropping her eyes to the ground she added, "I only approached you hoping that you were different to all the ignorance of this world! You only see what is in front of you but never for what something really is!" Pausing for a moment she drew a breath. "You are fighting blind Dare. Not everything is going to end the way as they believe it to. Life is about change and this world we are in is alive. Human or demon, we still are impacted by the events. Not everything is as it seems. Remember that."

       "How did you know my name?"        

       "I can sense it. I know what you have been through. You and your friends. You were banished from town by an event that was not of your doing." Spinning around slowly Helen faced Dare once again and whispered. "If you let me, I can help you."       

       "Sure, by turning me into a vampire."

       Shaking her head the young vampire whispered, "That is not the method which you seek. I can however open your eyes to what is really out there strengthening your skills immensely." Slowly she moved forward and lightly touched his lips with her own. "Trust me. Let me help."

       Blinking, Dare began slowly backing away. "I-I-I need to think this over a bit. excuse me." Quickly, the chestnut brown-haired demon hunter raced off. 'Oh man. I did not expect that! She's cute. Ack! Dare stop saying that! She's a vampire!'

       Upon reaching the small cottage, the young man wrestled with his key but oddly found the door unlocked. Quietly he pushed it open but was met with a horrifying sight. The corpse of Hunter who had apparently been bit by a vampire. "HUNTER! NOOO!" Dare cried out, dropping to his knees.

       "Dare, there is something I must tell you-" Helen shouted from the doorway, but froze upon seeing the rage filled eyes of the young man.

       "YOU! This is all because you!" he growled, rising to shaky feet. Drawing the cool steel sword Dare continued, "You were sent to keep me busy while one of your vampire friends killed him! So what did you do with Wolf? Was he eaten too?"

       "I had nothing to do with this!"

       "LIAR!" Harshly he swung the sword at neck level but fortunately Helen managed to avoid the attack.

       "Listen to me! I had nothing to do with this! There has to be some reason!" the vampire cried out as Dare attempted to slice her head off.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

        Hotaru blinked in shock at Duo.

       Sheepishly, Duo, dropped his eyes to the ground. "When you said we were enemies, you were not kidding!"

       "Unfortunately, that is only the beginning to our problems in that life.."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Author's Notes: This did not exactly turn out the way I previously planned but I really like it. It seems like it's an original. And of course, I like working outside of boxes.

Brenna by the way is my OC Biana. You'll find her in Information Leak, Mission X, and Everything But the Kitchen Sink. All of which are GW stories. Why did I choose her? Because I thought three girls with violet eyes and dark hair at varying lengths who happened to be vampires would be very cool.

Duo = Dare

Hotaru = Helen

Heero = Hunter

Biana = Brenna

Wufei = Wolf

Rei = Raven

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