Crimson by Darkness Falls
The Hunt
A/N: This is my first fic, so please be kind. Any suggestions or comments would be highly appreciated, and please don't forget to review at the end! ^^
Disclaimer: Yes, I'm the fourteen-year-old kid who owns Inuyasha. What's it to ya?
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Crimson
Chapter 1- The Hunt
'A determined individual is the most dangerous thing in the world.' ~Anonymous
The sidewalk was littered with garbage as I entered one of Tokyo's shadier districts. Trying not to gag as I walked by a passed-out bum reeking of cheap alcohol, I quickly made my way towards the run-down building across the street. Avoiding the streetlights that lined the entire road, I quietly slid into the side alley of the building.
Cautiously making my way around a dumpster, I pressed my back against the graffiti-covered wall.
Drawing a deep breath, my hands tightened around the hilt of the katana that hung from my side. Slowly drawing the weapon from its sheathe, I took a moment to admire its deadly glint as it caught the glow of the streetlight above. Smiling wickedly, I jumped onto the ledge of the third floor window with a single leap, using the hilt of the sword to break the fragile glass panes. Uncaring of whoever might have been looking at that moment, I punched out what remained of the window. Watching the glass shards fall to the pavement below, I listened for any sort of movement before entering the dark apartment.
The inside of the apartment was filthy, dark stains of what could have been blood splattered along the gray walls. Wrinkling my nose at the smell of booze that permeated throughout the apartment, I held my blade out in front of me. Though the apartment was pitch-black, my eyes picked up every detail from the tattered curtains to the empty beer bottles strewn across the stained carpet. Quietly making my way towards what I figured was the bedroom, my gloved hand reached out to turn the doorknob when the sound of breaking glass came from inside. Snarling, I managed to take the door down with a single kick.
The first thing I saw was the broken window, its surrounding curtains fluttering from the gentle summer breeze. I turned around swiftly when a whimper came from the large bed behind me. Promptly yanking the covers off the bed, I raised an eyebrow when I saw a naked woman huddling in the corner, a petrified look on her face. Snorting in disgust, I quickly strode towards the window. Jumping through it without hesitation, a wicked smile curved my lips. Let the hunt begin...
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I leapt from one rooftop to another, my feet barely making a sound each time I landed. The bustle of the city could be heard from the street below, its pedestrians unaware of the two figures leaping from one building to the next. I was getting quite irritated. The harsh glare of the city's lights and the tumult of Tokyo's usual traffic were slowly beginning to wear down my nerves.
It was a full moon tonight, the silver glow illuminating the figure I was chasing-- my prey.
Gritting my teeth, I swiped away the light sheen of sweat that had formed on my brow. I had been chasing him for almost an hour to no avail. Deciding that it had to end soon, I drove him to the outskirts of the city, leaving the large metropolis behind. Glancing downwards, a maze of dark alleyways and narrow streets met my gaze. I sped up my pace. Surely no one would notice a body in a place like this...
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He was trapped. Two old, run-down buildings met together to form a solid brick wall that even I couldn't jump over. Breathing in the stench of fear that rolled off him in waves, a feral grin curved my lips. Drawing the katana, I calmly walked towards the trembling figure.
Moonlight lit up the entire alleyway, glinting off the deadly blade I held in my right hand. Without warning, he turned around and lunged at me, charging wildly in a desperate attempt to escape. Easily dodging his attack, I caught a glimpse of his long raven locks. I froze, heart pounding, as old memories resurfaced. Catching me off guard, he managed to slug me across the face. Violently shoving those memories aside, I desperately tried to focus on the task at hand.
As he pulled back his fist to deliver another blow, I saw my chance. Using my left hand, I caught his wrist, stopping his blow in mid-air. Swiftly twisting his arm to the side, I smiled viciously at his cry of pain. Releasing my hold on his arm, I dropped to the ground, a single kick sweeping his legs out from under him. Reaching for the katana, I gazed into his eyes a split-second before plunging the blade through his torso. Closing my eyes as blood sprayed in every direction, I shuddered as pure sadistic pleasure and unbridled disgust rushed through my veins at the same time. Holding the man until he slumped against me, I gradually withdrew my sword from his lifeless body.
Raising the blade to my lips, I slowly licked off a droplet blood that lingered on the forged steel. Swirling the sweet metallic taste around in my mouth, I swallowed. Turning my gaze towards the dead man, I took in his youthful features. Long obsidian tresses fanned out beneath him, setting a sharp contrast to the blood-slicked ground.
Sadness welled up inside me. It wasn't him.
Sighing, I tasted the lingering traces of his blood on my tongue. His freshly spilt blood called out to me, tempting me with their bright crimson hue. Frowning darkly, I crouched down near his dead body, inhaling deeply.
'A New-Blood.'
Somewhere in dark recesses of my mind, I wondered how such an inexperienced being had actually managed to land a blow on me. Feeling half-ashamed, I wiped away the trickle of blood that ran down the corner of my mouth, before gently closing his glassy blue eyes with my fingertips. Leaning over, I placed a tender kiss on his cold cheek. "May you rest in peace," I whispered.
Standing up, I ran my tongue over my teeth, unsurprised to find the canines slightly elongated. Casting a final glance behind my back, I vanished into the darkness of the night.
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A/N: Well there you have it, folks. I know most of you are either confused as hell by now, and are already planning to flame me, but I promise everything will be explained in due time! Now leave a review or I'll stick my plot bunnies on you. Thanks!
~Vonya