Vampire's Kiss

Okay, and finally, the last part ^^ So, surely, had fun with this whole 3 parts chapter. And of course, all this journey was just for the moment in the end. *sigh* So, extra points, who will get the reference, which I meant by a pair of certain gloves. Don't worry, by thr end of the chapter, I'll add the answer.

And without further ado, enjoy!

PS: A Trigger warning for the Arachnophobia for the first paragraph.

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Update: revisited and updated at 2025/07/25

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While they are still wandering in the forest, a distant memory from the past doesn’t give peace of mind to the redhead hunter, no matter how hard he tries to shake it off.

It happened nearly two decades ago when Iori was still a little boy.

He was minding his own business and snooping around the rooms of one abandoned house.

However, something had piqued his curiosity, and young Iori followed the direction of someone weeping and begging for help.

When he carefully looked through the door frame, he noticed that the room was covered in silver thread.

Apparently, in the corner of the room, a giant spider wrapping its victim in a cocoon.

While Iori was paralyzed in fear, he couldn’t remove his eyes from the merciless killer taking away the life of the helpless prey instantly.

One wrong step, and now, the spider turned to the little boy’s side.

That empty gaze through the eight glass eyes of the gigantic monster, and it slowly clapping its fangs… It made Iori widen his eyes in terror, and his knees gave up on him.

Just before the spider started to crawl to him, Iori felt someone’s big palm on his small shoulder.

Then, the silver-haired demon hunter spoke to him in his usual cheerful tone. “What are you doing here, Yagami-chan? I told you not to get lost… Looks like I have to deal with that big spider over there~”

Just when the vampire hunter is about to sink deeper into his thoughts, he feels someone’s hand holding his and leading him somewhere.

Now, the familiar voice of a brunette speaks to him. “… Earth to Yagami. Wake up~ We still have a long way to go until we can rest.”

It seems that all this way, Kyo was making sure Iori wouldn’t be left alone by spacing out.

After shaking his head, Iori murmurs. “That idiot Yashiro...”

When the nocturnal creature looks at the hunter, he notices that his partner’s face is as pale as paper.

Kyo only sighs and comforts him. “Just a little bit. After you give that thread, you can take a long bath and relax. You did well and deserve it.”

Of course, he expects Yagami to brush his hand off and scold him or to pick up his whip to scare him because he may take this as nothing more than a mockery.

However, none of this happens, and Iori remains silent while taking the lead until exiting the forest.

After a while, this couple reaches the familiar witch’s shop, and Iori knocks on the door until the owner opens it.

The ebony-haired woman greets them calmly. “Welcome back.”

However, noticing the vampire and the hunter covered in blood and guts, she briefly widens her eyes. “My, did you slay the entire forest just for a thread?”

The redhead only sighs and replies in a serious tone. “Listen, Kagura. I got what you asked for. So, is this enough for you?”

When he hands the bag over his shoulder to Chizuru, she takes it and comments with a tiny chuckle. “Hunter, have you brought me a whole Arachne monster?”

After opening the bag and quickly inspecting its contents, she lifts her gaze and adds. “Surely, that’s a lot, and I may need some time to work on it. So, why don’t you two relax? But first, please wash yourselves before entering the shop.”

Just as Iori is about to lose his patience at any moment, he tries to remain calm. After all, he still convinced himself that this woman might be unpredictable and cast a curse on him. So, being careful around her is a better option.

While the hunter remains silent, Kyo addresses the witch. “Alright then. However, where should we stay? That stupid hunter can go anywhere he wants, but what about me? Soon, the sun should rise.”

Now, Chizuru reassures the noble creature of the night. “You can rest in the hut. Besides, I won’t drive away a lost wanderer. Plus, you should find a shower room and washing machine. However, I don’t have anything to lend you to wear aside from the hunter’s given coat. Unless Yagami brings you something by tomorrow.”

When she looks at the vampire hunter, she gives him a demanding look.

However, the redhead doesn’t give up to this woman and replies in an irritated tone. “I was planning to return to the guild. So, I’ll see if I can find anything. If not, then he would have no problems staying in bed all day, all night long.”

And with these words, he turns away, and before taking his leave, he addresses Kyo. “Why are you standing here? Do you want to get burned by the sunlight? Just go inside already, you idiot!”

Meanwhile, the brunette only watches his partner disappearing into the distance while mumbling something under his nose.

It is the evening of another day. After entering the witch’s shop, Iori notices Chizuru kneeling on the ground and placing a piece of spiderweb thread on the magical circle.

When she turns her head and sees the hunter holding a white plastic bag with something carefully wrapped in a not-so-small package in it, she calmly greets him. “Oh, you are here just in time, Yagami. Give me a second, and it’s done.”

Now, the dark-haired witch returns her gaze to the magical circle.

After closing her eyes and deeply exhaling, she straightens her palms and moves them above the circle.

When Chizuru quietly casts a spell, the circle glows in a dark green.

As she begins to chant in an ancient language with increasing clarity, the circle gradually changes from a light yellow to an orange color.

Lastly, the piece of the thread floats in the air until it is surrounded by the orange pillar of light.

When the witch opens her eyes and finishes casting the spell, the pillar of light slowly fades away.

Now, a pair of snow-white gloves slowly lands on her palms.

After standing up, she gives them to the hunter and explains to him. “It’s done. So, don’t forget to give them to Kusanagi. After all, you sounded like it was really important. Ah, and one more thing. Let him wear those outside, unless you want to pay for the damages done to my shop.”

When Iori examines this item, he raises his eyebrow. “For what? And why do you think they would fit him?”

However, Chizuru simply answers. “These gloves have a magic seal on them. So, that’s why you should be careful with them. And don’t worry about the size. They would fit anyone – be it a dwarf or a titan. So, these gloves can adapt to their owner’s size once they are on.”

In the end, after listening to several other explanations and instructions, Iori leaves the shop and goes to see a certain vampire.

When Iori enters, he notices Kyo completely wrapped under the blanket.

After getting close to the bed, he pushes what he assumes is the vampire’s shoulder and orders him. “Wake up! Haven’t you had enough sleep? Besides, I have something for you. So, don’t make me remove the blanket.”

Surely, the brunette doesn’t sound so satisfied when his rest is disturbed.

While he is wrapped in the blanket cocoon, he replies. “You know, I’m pretty fine here. It’s so warm and comfy~”

Later on, he not so voluntarily removes the blanket and sits while staying in bare underwear.

While being half asleep, the vampire stares at the hunter with no sense of danger.

Meanwhile, one detail immediately catches the redhead’s attention – there is a round scar like a sun in the middle of the vampire’s chest.

But now, the hunter questions him. “Aren’t you vampires supposed to heal your wounds? Why do you have it?”

The brunette only lowers his upset gaze and places his hand around his scar. “I don’t get it why it didn’t heal after that fight against that bastard demon either. Maybe it was his left mark to remind me that I lost or messed with the wrong person… Beats me! Like hell, I care about it any longer!”

After sighing, Kyo grasps his scar and keeps his head hung.

Meanwhile, Iori changes the subject and asks. “Anyway, what happened to your clothes? Aren’t they dry yet?”

However, the vampire turns his gaze away without knowing what to say.

When he returns his gaze to the hunter, he confesses. “When I threw them into a washing machine and checked after a couple of hours… Well, you see, how to say it… They shrunk.”

The redhead hunter only facepalms and murmurs. “You stupid vampire…”

While trying to remain chill, Iori gives Kyo the plastic bag.

Meanwhile, the brunette is curious about what it is and why the hunter acts like this.

But for now, Iori explains. “I figured out that something like this would happen. So, I searched through the store for something similar. Try them on because I need to know whether I need to return them.”

Upon unwrapping the package, Kyo discovers a black t-shirt featuring a black cross with white borders, a white jacket crafted from fine leather, and a pair of blue jeans.

It makes the vampire crack a smile and chuckle. “I can’t believe this pattern gonna haunt me forever… Anyway, let’s put it on.”

When the brunette puts the t-shirt on, he feels it’s slightly too tight, but aside from that, he doesn’t seem to have any issues with jeans or jacket.

After Kyo finishes fixing his new outfit, Iori asks him. “Should we go outside? Because Kagura mentioned that you can try something only if we are outside.”

The brunette gives him a smug look and says in a nearly singing voice. “Eh? What is it? Just give it to me, alright?~”

When he walks through the door, he continues. “Come on, let’s go already~”

When they are outside, Iori picks a pair of gloves from the left side of his inner pockets and gives them to the brunette.

Kyo only gives him a curious look and tries them on.

Now, he notices that the outer side of the glove has a complicated transmutation circle with a small red flame in the middle of it.

No matter how he sees it, there is nothing unusual about them.

However, once he casually snaps his fingers, an orange flame appears, but immediately disappears into the air.

Surely, that also surprises even the red-haired hunter.

After blinking a few times, Kyo stretches his arm and snaps his fingers again.

Once again, the orange flame appears, and the vampire’s eyes sparkle with an even brighter spark of excitement and joy, making him smile widely.

The brunette delightfully announces. “My flame… It’s here! How? It’s here again!”

“Hey, Yagami, catch this!~” He mischievously looks at the hunter and launches the fireball at the hunter.

Fortunately, Iori is quick enough to block this attack with his whip strike.

Another attempt from the vampire – the same blocking from the hunter.

On the other hand, seeing the lively and energetic vampire somehow relieves the hunter.

When he approaches Kyo, he warns him. “You better be careful and make sure that your gloves won’t get wet because then they will be useless. Anyway, should we go back? Tomorrow, we can test your abilities by using these gloves.”

However, the brunette lowers his gaze and responds in a slightly embarrassed voice. “So, you went through all this trouble just to get me this? It’s nothing that I’m not thankful, but don’t you think I’ll give up either!”

When he looks straight into the hunter’s eyes, he adds. “I will find something that will leave you even in bigger surprise, even if I need to go against myself like how you did! Just you wait until then, and you’ll see. But since you are so generous, how about you letting me have your blood from your neck as well? I did a good job, didn’t I? So, I deserve a snack from the most convenient spot.”

In the end, Iori closes his eyes and sighs.

As he gets close to the door, he replies. “When you learn to control yourself. So, for now, you should be glad to have it from my wrist. Maybe in the future you can eat from the elbow. Anyway, if you don’t get inside in a minute, you won’t get a drop, you stupid vampire.”

Surely, that alone makes the nocturnal creature rush inside, and he impatiently waits until the promised treat from the hunter.

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Aaand the answer time for those, who may don't know what kind of reference used ^^ : So, since one of first Mina's watched animes were Fullmetal Alchemist, I had to use it~ More, during my first gameplay of KOFXI I was shocked, because during Kyo's victory screen I thought ''what a hell, that colonel bastard doing here? Even the Flame Alchemist - Roy Mustang somehow here, right? xD Whyyyy?...'' So, artstyle was one thing, however, when I though deeper - both can use flame, right? Although, Roy uses a gloves with flame transmutation circle and later tattooing the same circle on his hand to cast a fire while Kyo can do that naturally without the help of alchemy. Yet since then couldn't unsee this shocking coincidence and thus as been working on this project kept in mind the glove detail and wanted to use it somehow.
Anyway, this chapter was something...
And thus, as always - See you next time!~