Vampire's Kiss

*Siiiigh*~ it's been ages since last time uploaded this project. Damn, I missed this project so much~ T^T Anyway, it seems this time after done with current chapter, noticed that it is nearly 7.5k. words! xD My, if I would have uploaded this big chungus...So, had to divide into 3 chapters. So, for now a preparation part before first journey together.

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Update: revisited and updated at 2025/06/24

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It is a calm evening. The sky is dyed red and orange, while singly clouds hide the setting sun on the horizon.

The sunbeams touch the rustling leaves of the trees, dying the forest in a warm color palette.

As the leaves fall, one flies across the vampire hunter’s path back to the witch’s hut.

It cannot be helped that Iori needed to sort out some business in the Hunter Guild and get more throwing knives.

Besides, today, Chizuru may ask him to run for another errand.

So, after finishing whatever task she gives him, Iori can ask her to craft a suitable weapon for one stupid vampire or at least enhance it with her magical powers.

But what could fit for Kyo? Swords and spears are out of the question because that vampire doesn’t look trustworthy to be left alone with any of these.

Secondly, teaching him how to use it will take too much time and patience, and it’s not the weapon a hunter would choose in battle.

What about knuckles or fist weapons? Nope. The brunette is in his human form, and he may not regain his physical strength. Besides, after Kyo’s last encounter, Iori will not entrust him with short-range weapons.

In any case, he has to visit the familiar shop. Maybe this time, he can take Kyo with him and test what the vampire is capable of.

And so, entering the shop, the redhead hunter is greeted by a certain witch behind the counter, who is packing bottles filled with wine-colored liquid into a small chest.

When she closes the chest and places it on the lower shelf behind the counter, she addresses Iori. “You’re back, hunter. That was quick. However, it’s unusual for you to go straight to the shop. Aren’t you going to check on how Kusanagi is doing first?”

The vampire hunter gazes for the moment and answers in a serious tone. “For now, he can wait. Besides, it’s better to ask you about something when he is not around.”

Giving a demanding look, Iori adds. “Do you need me to kill any monster or get you any materials?”

Now, he impatiently waits for the witch’s answer.

Surely, Chizuru doesn’t expect such a question, and she comments, “You are being quite helpful. What are you planning this time?”

However, Iori clenches his hands into fists and asks in an irritated tone. “So, do you need any help or not?”

No matter how it is to observe Iori’s reactions, Chizuru replies in a nearly singing voice. “Well, since you volunteer today, I cannot turn down your help, can I? So, let’s see…”

After she covers her mouth and lowers her gaze, she turns around and scans the shelves.

After a minute, she turns back and replies. “I’m running out of one fine thread. Hmm, hunter, can you get me enough of the spiderweb for making six rolls of thread?”

The redhead only rolls his eyes and fires back. “Why cannot you use the one from the corners of your shop? I see no difference between which spiderweb you should use. So, are you sure you don’t need anything else?”

It seems the ebony-haired woman is not so happy by that, but she counter-attacks calmly. “You see, you can get this thread only from one of the rare monsters. I’m sure you have at least heard of the Arachne creature. If no, then you should know that these spiders -”

Closing his eyes and feeling shaky, Iori interrupts her with a mild stuttering. “So, you want to tell me all I need to do is to kill this creature and take the web? Fine… If so, then I’m taking that stupid vampire with me!”

However, seeing the hunter becoming tense, Chizuru asks in an innocent tone. “Don’t tell me that a fearsome hunter like you cannot take down a medium-ranked monster on your own? Maybe it was a too difficult task for you…”

Meanwhile, Iori had enough of this witch’s taunting.

After slamming his palms on the counter, he frowns. “Listen, Kagura, it’s none of your business! I’m taking Kyo with me because I need to see what he can do in an actual fight. Then can get him a proper weapon and teach him how to use it. Besides, it will be a good practice for him.”

While he gives her a demanding look, Chizuru patiently listens to him.

The more he talks, the more he sounds concerned. “However, what can fit for an idiot who keeps telling that he can only use fangs and claws? More importantly, he claims how he could use the flame before he lost his powers.”

Now, the dark-haired witch calms him down. “First, return with the spiderweb, then leave the rest to me. However, wouldn’t be easier for you to ask what kind of weapon Kusanagi would like to have?”

Surely, even such a simple question makes Iori widen his eyes and turn his head away.

When he lowers his gaze, Chizuru gives him a questioning look and listens to him. “Because…”

When he returns his gaze, the hunter continues. “Hell, that stubborn idiot would refuse to say what he wants! So, I’ll better give it to him after the hunt. Maybe then he will accept it.”

After this confession, Chizuru remains silent, but she replies. “Anyway, I think I know what weapon may fit him. But since you are here, why don’t you take a rest before the journey? So, let me remove the barrier first. Or do you prefer to be electrocuted like last time?”

After several minutes, when the sun is finally hidden behind the forest, the first starts to shine one after another in the sky, waiting for the moon to show up.

Meanwhile, when the witch and the hunter are near the hut door, Chizuru removes the magic barrier and tells him before gracefully leaving. “I’ll come back later. Today, one important client should show up and take rare potions. So, if you two decide to leave before I return, good luck and take care.”

Once the hunter enters the hut, he finds Kyo lying on the bed with a navy color book on his face.

Is that vampire dozing out? Iori wonders.

When he gets close to the brunette, he addresses him. “Enough of doing nothing, you stupid vampire. Get up!”

Meanwhile, the nocturnal creature murmurs something under his nose and removes the book from his face.

Now Kyo stares at the redhead with a sleepy and annoyed look. Certainly, that pesky hunter has a lot of nerves to disturb my rest.

Without hiding his dissatisfaction, he speaks. “What do you want? Can’t you see that I’m busy? So, why don’t you, I dunno, grab me some snacks? Besides, I hoped that maybe this book that Kagura gave to me will let me learn more about you humans.”

The redhead hunter closes his eyes and sighs.

After opening his eyes, he picks up this book and quickly skims through the pages.

Now, he patiently explains. “It’s only one of the volumes about the history of the Great Demon Outbreak in our world… Why did you expect to learn about us? That woman should have picked a better book for you.”

When Kyo sits on the edge of the bed, he innocently stares at Iori and objects. “But there was also mentioned about you vampire hunters. So, I thought that at least it will help me to learn about you and why are you acting like this. You know, I don’t get it why you hunters still protecting ordinary people even if nowadays they still fear you and treat you like us vampires? Like, you don’t own them anything and they should be thankful for being able to live in peace! However, what about you, Yagami? Are you doing this for a living, or do you have other reasons?”

When the vampire curiously stares at him, even Iori’s poker face cracks, and he responds. “What is it with these questions, you stupid vampire? Anyway, we have to go now.”

However, Kyo doesn’t give up and gently pulls the hunter’s coat sleeve. “Where? At least not until I’ll know why did you become a vampire hunter. You don’t look like you became one just to enjoy taking anyone’s life or have anyone struggling under your foot.”

Not again… Iori thinks as Kyo uses his alluring gaze on him that makes him listen to the vampire without removing his eyes from him. “Do you hold a grudge against one of our kind? Are you seeking for a revenge? Or you have no choice but to continue the legacy of your clan and bear the same weapon that was passed to new generations to kill us?”

While Kyo impatiently waits for his partner’s answer, Iori immediately closes his eyes and turns his head away.

Whenever it is a trick of light, the brunette can swear that the hunter’s cheeks are slightly red.

Nevertheless, after facepalming, Iori fixes his hair and faces the vampire. “Why do you have to do this? Stop using your charms on me because you won’t win against me, you stupid vampire.”

After a pause, he explains. “Anyway, I don’t have any special reason. So, it was better than becoming an alchemist like my father expected, despite my mother being against it and her pushing her path of living. Hell, I didn’t show interest in pharmacy or medicine either! At least it was better to be trained and raised by that stupid hunter than greet the same pathetic fate as my parents did. So, after long years of training, I became a vampire hunter hoping that no one will decide my fate for me and being pulled by the strings like a rag doll… But enough about that! Get up because you’re going with me.”

After listening to the hunter’s story, Kyo becomes more curious about him and senses that there is something more, but Iori remains silent about it.

Despite that, as the brunette stands up, he makes a smug look.

Now, he thrusts his chest and replies. “Are you sure it is all? Alright, then. Keep your oh-so-tragic-and-dramatic backstory to yourself, Mister Vampire Hunter~ You know, it only makes me more interested and wanting to know what you are hiding. So, if I wanted, I could annoy you until you get tired and willing to tell me.”

When Kyo places his hand behind his head and rubs his nape, he adds in a serious tone. “Anyway, where are we going? Because you sure look so impatient and excited about it, Yagami.”

Finally… It took long enough for that stupid vampire to behave himself. Iori thinks.

Lastly, he calmly explains. “We’re going to test your reflexes. So, you will assist me on a fetch quest that Kagura gave to us. I hope you are not afraid of spiders, because we need to go deep into the wood where a rare spider lives and get a web from it.”

The brunette chuckles and swooshes his hair. “Hmph! Big deal!~ But why a big, bad, scary hunter like you cannot do it alone? If you wanted to see how I masterly kick anyone’s butt and get all the glory for it, then why didn’t you say so? So, show me the way!”

However, the redhead tightens his lips and quietly murmurs while walking toward the door. “Go on, talk like this until you see these creatures by yourself, you stupid vampire…”

Surely, it mildly irritates the vampire, and he indignantly asks before Iori shuts the door. “Eh? What is it, Yagami? Speak louder because I cannot hear you!”

Once they are outside, Iori turns back and prompts his partner. “You better hurry up! Or do you want to be left behind?”

In the end, with the blessings of the stars and the silver moonlight, they depart on a new journey.